New Delhi: In a major move to enhance its aerial defence capabilities, India is in advanced discussions with Russia to procure a large consignment of missiles worth approximately ₹10,000 crore for its S-400 ‘Sudarshan’ air defence systems. The proposal, initiated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), is expected to be presented before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval during its upcoming meeting on October 23, defence sources confirmed.
The S-400, one of the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems in the world, has already proven its effectiveness in combat. According to sources, India successfully used the S-400 to bring down five to six Pakistani fighter aircraft and a spy plane at a distance of over 300 kilometres during Operation Sindoor, a four-day conflict that demonstrated the system’s precision and lethality. The success led the IAF to term it a “game-changer” in India’s defence architecture.
India and Russia had earlier signed a deal in 2018 for five S-400 squadrons. Three of these have already been delivered, inducted, and operationalised. However, the delivery of the remaining two squadrons was delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine war. With the new discussions, India aims not only to receive the pending systems but also to expand its missile stockpile and potentially add more S-400 units in the near future.
Sources added that India is also exploring the acquisition of next-generation air-to-air missiles from Russia to enhance its beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat capability. Additionally, the two countries are working on further strengthening their cooperation on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile project and its advanced variants.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in December, where discussions on deepening defence ties and advancing new joint military projects will be high on the agenda. The renewed talks underscore the enduring strategic partnership between India and Russia, which remains central to India’s defence preparedness and modernization efforts.
