India Bolsters Air Defence with New S-400 Missile Order
India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted its 'Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)' for the procurement of 288 anti-aircraft missiles for the country's existing S-400 Triumph air defense systems from Russia. The approval, announced on February 13, 2026, marks a significant step in strengthening India's aerial defense capabilities.
The deal is estimated to be worth approximately ₹10,000 crore, or about $1.1 billion. The order comprises 120 short-range missiles and 168 long-range missiles, which will be acquired through a Fast Track Procedure (FTP) to expedite delivery.
Replenishment Following 'Operation Sindoor'
The primary motivation behind this substantial purchase is to replenish the missile inventory that was extensively utilized during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. During this operation, Indian S-400 systems were reportedly deployed against Pakistani forces, successfully neutralizing hostile aircraft and spy planes. Officials have indicated that the long-range capabilities of the S-400 system played a crucial role in deterring further aerial activity during the conflict.
The S-400 Triumph System: A Critical Asset
The S-400 Triumph, known by NATO as 'SA-21 Growler,' is a mobile, long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia. It is designed to create a layered defense against a wide array of aerial threats, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and ballistic and cruise missiles.
Key features of the S-400 system include:
- An integrated multifunction radar and autonomous detection and targeting systems.
- Capability to engage targets up to 400 km away and at altitudes of up to 30 km.
- Ability to simultaneously engage up to 36 targets.
- Utilizes various missile types, such as the 40N6 (400 km range), 48N6M (250 km range), and 9M96E/E2 (40-120 km range), to provide comprehensive coverage.
Broader Defence Modernization and Indo-Russian Ties
This missile acquisition is part of a larger defense modernization drive by India, with other approvals totaling approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore (around $39 billion) for various armed forces. India is also slated to receive two additional S-400 systems from a previous contract later in 2026, and the Indian Air Force is reportedly pursuing a proposal for five more S-400 systems.
The deal further underscores the enduring defense cooperation between India and Russia, which is guided by a 10-year military-technical cooperation agreement spanning from 2021 to 2031. This agreement emphasizes joint research, development, and production of advanced defense technologies. Despite these ongoing collaborations, there have been reported delays in the delivery of S-400 systems due to the conflict in Ukraine, with new timelines for transfer now set for 2026-2027.
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