Amid rising demands prompted by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Russia has notified India that it would be able to deliver the remaining two squadrons of the S-400 systems by August 2026.
Alleged footage of Russia using S-400 systems, which were produced for India, in the conflict emerged on social media a few months ago.
Due to a depleted stockpile of tactical missiles like the Iskander-M resulting from the prolonged conflict, Russia has also begun using S-300 and S-400 missiles to strike ground targets.
India signed a Rs 35,000-crore deal with Russia for the procurement of five squadrons of the S-400 systems in 2018. According to the agreement, Russia was expected to complete all deliveries by 2023-24.
However, Russia halted the deliveries of the two remaining squadrons after delivering the third squadron in February 2023.
The Indian air force deployed the first squadron in Punjab, the second squadron near the Chicken Neck corridor in the eastern sector, and the third squadron somewhere in the western sector.
The S-400 system is capable of intercepting aerial targets at ranges up to 400 km, including aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as drones, by using four different ranged missiles with ranges of 40 km, 120 km, 250 km, and 400 km.
The DRDO has also been engaged in developing an Indigenous Long Range Air Defence System (LRSAM) with ranges of up to 350 km, similar to the S-400 systems. Flight testing for this system is anticipated to commence in late 2024 or early 2025.
With heightened tensions between India and China, both countries have deployed air defence systems in significant numbers along the LAC. The Indian air force has deployed MRSAM, Spyder, Akash air defence systems, along with S-400 systems, to cover Indian military installations from various threats.
