India May Buy 5 More S-400 Air Defence Systems From Russia In Rs 50,000 Crore Deal: Report

Russia has submitted a new proposal to India for the purchase of five additional S-400 ‘Sudarshan’ air defence squadrons, in a potential deal valued at more than Rs 50,000 crore, according to defence sources.

The Russian response to India’s tender has reached the Defence Ministry and is currently under review, sources told ANI. If cleared, the acquisition would considerably expand India’s S-400 fleet and reinforce air defence coverage along both the eastern and western fronts.

“The Russian response to the Indian tender has been received, and it is being processed at the moment. The project is estimated to cost over Rs 50,000 crore,” the sources said.

S-400’S PERFORMANCE IN OPERATION SINDOOR

The fresh proposal follows India’s decision to move ahead with plans for five additional S-400 squadrons after Operation Sindoor.

The Russian-built system was a key part of India’s air defence network during the operation against Pakistan, with Indian officials crediting it with intercepting aerial threats and preventing hostile aircraft from penetrating Indian airspace.

Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, chief of the Western Air Command, recently highlighted the system’s reported performance during an ANI podcast.

Mishra said an S-400 missile destroyed a Pakistani surveillance aircraft from a distance of around 314 kilometres, describing it as potentially the longest surface-to-air missile engagement on record.

He also claimed that the system was used against multiple Pakistani fighter aircraft, including Chinese-made J-10 jets operated by the Pakistan Air Force.

According to Mishra, Pakistan also attempted to identify the locations of India’s S-400 systems by activating spies and sleeper cells during the operation.

INDIA’S S-400 FLEET SET TO GROW

India’s original S-400 contract with Russia was signed in 2018 for five squadrons.

Four squadrons have already been delivered and inducted into service. The fifth unit under the original agreement is expected to reach India by November, sources said.

If the latest proposal leads to a new contract, deliveries of the additional five squadrons are expected to begin approximately three years after the agreement is signed.

The new systems are likely to be deployed in strategic locations along India’s eastern and western sectors, strengthening its multi-layered air defence network.

MORE MISSILES AND PROJECT KUSHA

India is also looking to expand the missile stockpile for its existing S-400 fleet, with the country in the process of procuring more than 280 additional missiles.

At the same time, New Delhi is developing an indigenous long-range air defence system under Project Kusha.

The programme recently achieved an early milestone by successfully intercepting a simulated target at a range of about 140 kilometres.

The combination of additional S-400 squadrons, a larger missile inventory and Project Kusha is expected to give India greater depth and flexibility in its long-range air defence capabilities.