Under a 2018 agreement worth over 35,000 crore rupees for the procurement of five squadrons of S-400 defense systems, Russia is preparing to deliver the fourth squadron to the Indian Air Force by the end of 2025. According to the Indian Ministry of Defense, the arrival of the fifth squadron is expected in 2026, significantly strengthening the country’s air defense capabilities once the milestone is achieved.
Notably, under the operational structure of the Indian Air Force, each of these squadrons consists of a total of 16 vehicles. These include missile launchers responsible for engaging targets, radar systems for target detection, and command and control centers. Operating as described, the S-400 systems are capable of tracking targets at a range of up to 600 km while engaging them at an estimated range of 400 km, proving effective against aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones.
At present, the Indian Air Force has already deployed the first three S-400 squadrons at strategic points along the country’s northern border. According to local reports, the first squadron is stationed near the Siliguri Corridor, a critical node connecting northeastern India with the rest of the country. The second squadron is based in the Pathankot region, covering the skies over Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab. Meanwhile, the third squadron delivered by Russia is positioned in the northwest, safeguarding the regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
However, it is worth noting that the induction process of these advanced air defense systems has faced delays in delivery timelines. As previously reported, the war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions have impacted Russia’s military-industrial complex, affecting its ability to meet delivery schedules. As a result, the first S-400 squadron was only delivered in 2021, while the latest received so far arrived in 2023.
Finally, it is also relevant to mention that Russia is set to supply a significant batch of new AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Army, highlighting the strong defense ties between the two countries. Additionally, for the coming year, the arrival of another 100,000 rifles of the same variant is planned to further modernize the army’s arsenal.
Images used for illustration purposes.
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