By the end of 2025, India is anticipated to receive the fourth squadron of Russian S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems. In 2018, India agreed to pay $5.43 billion to Russia for five squadrons. The delivery schedule has been delayed because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the associated international sanctions.
The S-400 Triumf, also referred to by NATO as the SA-21 Growler, is a long-range surface-to-air missile system that can engage drones, aircraft, and ballistic and cruise missiles up to 400 kilometers away.
Three squadrons have already been stationed by India along its borders with China and Pakistan. 2021 saw the delivery of the first system, and 2022 and 2023 saw the delivery of the second and third. The fourth and fifth squadrons are anticipated to be delivered by March 2026 and October 2026, respectively, based on current planning. The last two squadrons will arrive by 2025, according to an earlier delivery schedule announced by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
The S-400 system can launch four different types of missiles that engage targets at different distances and can track a lot of targets at 600 km. It has a range of 100 to 40,000 feet and can destroy UAVs, missiles, and airplanes up to 400 kilometers.
India’s air defense capabilities are greatly enhanced by the S-400 Triumf missile defense system because of its cutting-edge technology and functional features. With a range of 40 to 400 kilometers, the system can counter a variety of aerial threats, such as aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and hypersonic weapons. Rapid deployment made possible by its mobility improves situational awareness and response capabilities along the China-Pakistan border.
The S-400 system uses a variety of missiles with varying ranges to provide layered coverage. The system can defend high-value targets and wide areas from possible attacks thanks to this concentric defense. The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently demonstrated the complete integration of the S-400, now known as “Sudarshan,” by successfully intercepting a significant portion of enemy aircraft and forcing others to flee. The IAF thinks the S-400 will revolutionize air defense by enhancing current systems and bolstering India’s air defense as a whole.
