India has started a major procurement process for its strategic air defense system S-400. The Defense Ministry is preparing to rapidly purchase about 300 new missiles from Russian government company Rosoboronexport. This step is being taken after the heavy use of S-400 missiles during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
According to sources, the purchase price of these missiles is said to be more than Rs 10,000 crore. The government wants to complete this deal within this financial year. For this, final approval is yet to be received from the Cost Negotiation Committee (CNC) and Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Why was new purchase of missiles necessary?
In Operation Sindoor, the S-400 system played a decisive role in targeting Pakistan’s fighter planes, drones and surveillance aircraft. The system’s 40N6E long-range missile shot down a large aircraft 314 kilometers away inside Pakistan. Due to continuous and extensive use, the stock of missiles has become depleted, which now requires immediate replenishment.
India can purchase 5 more S-400 systems
According to sources, the Indian Armed Forces are considering purchasing 5 more S-400 systems in future. Apart from this, the purchase of Russia’s Pantsir air defense system is also an option, which is capable of stopping armed and kamikaze drones.
Both systems together can provide India with a multi-layered air defense shield against threats from the air. At present, India has received delivery of three out of five S-400 squadrons. The remaining two squadrons will be deployed in India by next year.
S-400’s capability proved in Operation Sindoor
- During Operation Sindoor, the S-400 system monitored Pakistani aircraft and drones with the 600 km range Big Bird radar.
- Shoot up to 36 targets at a time
- Pakistan’s F-16 fighter and jets purchased from China and surveillance AWACS and drones were destroyed from a distance.
- Suppressed radar activities of enemy air bases Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sialkot.
- After this demonstration, Pakistan had to shift many of its aircraft to bases near the Afghanistan and Iran borders.
Issue may arise in Modiputin meeting
The DAC headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has already approved this purchase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin can further discuss this purchase in the upcoming India-Russia summit. The issue of the new S-500 air defense system and other joint defense projects may also come up in the talks, although no major agreement is expected yet.
Big step towards strategic strength
This missile purchase is part of India’s comprehensive air defense strategy, which aims to maintain strong national security amid any regional tension or aerial threat. The way the S-400 system gave a decisive edge in Operation Sindoor, it has become clear that this system will remain the main pillar of India’s air defense infrastructure in the coming years.
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