SOURCE: AFI
India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval is scheduled to visit Moscow in the coming days to attend the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, set for May 27–29, 2025. Amid escalating regional tensions, Doval is expected to press the Russian government for the expedited delivery of the remaining two S-400 air defense systems, a critical asset for India’s military. This urgency stems from the S-400’s unprecedented performance during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, where the system was fired at least 11 times and achieved a historic milestone by taking out a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Saab 2000 Erieye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft operating deep inside Pakistani airspace at a record-breaking range of 314 kilometers.
The S-400, christened “Sudarshan Chakra” by India, proved its mettle during Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. India’s retaliatory strikes targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prompting a large-scale Pakistani counteroffensive. On the night of May 7–8, 2025, the PAF attempted to engage military targets across 15 Indian cities, including Srinagar, Pathankot, Amritsar, and Bhuj, using 300–400 drones and air-launched missiles, including the Chinese-made PL-15E.
The S-400 system, deployed at key locations like Adampur airbase in Punjab, played a pivotal role in thwarting this assault. Integrated with the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) command and control network, the S-400 neutralized incoming threats with remarkable precision, intercepting drones, missiles, and other projectiles. According to defense sources, the system was fired at least 11 times during the conflict, showcasing its reliability under intense operational conditions. The most significant achievement came when the S-400, using its long-range 40N6E missile, shot down a PAF Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft at a distance of 314 kilometers—a world record for the longest-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) kill. This “historic kill” not only crippled Pakistan’s aerial surveillance capabilities but also reaffirmed the S-400’s status as a game-changer in modern warfare.
India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 to procure five S-400 squadrons, with three already operational along the borders with Pakistan and China. The remaining two units, originally slated for delivery by the end of 2025 and in 2026, have faced delays due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and logistical challenges. However, the S-400’s stellar performance during Operation Sindoor has underscored the urgent need to complete the delivery schedule. The system’s ability to engage targets deep inside enemy territory—potentially as far as Lahore or Islamabad—has shifted the regional strategic balance, forcing Pakistan to relocate its F-16 fleet to distant bases to evade detection.
Doval’s visit to Moscow aims to expedite these deliveries, ensuring that India can fully operationalize its air defense network amid heightened tensions with both Pakistan and China. Sources also suggest that India may explore fresh orders for additional S-400 units or even discuss the acquisition of the more advanced S-500 Prometheus system, which offers enhanced capabilities against hypersonic threats. The visit will also strengthen India-Russia ties, with Doval seeking deeper political and strategic coordination to counter Pakistan-based terror infrastructure, leveraging Russia’s position as a P5 state and a significant Eurasian power.
The S-400’s performance has not only bolstered India’s air defense posture but also drawn global attention, particularly after Western media had previously questioned its efficacy during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The system’s ability to track up to 300 targets at a range of 600 kilometers and engage up to 36 threats simultaneously at ranges of up to 400 kilometers has proven its worth in a real-world combat scenario. Its multi-layered defense, enabled by missiles like the 40N6E (400 km range) and 48N6 (250 km range), provides India with a robust shield against a wide array of aerial threats, including stealth aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles.
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