SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s air defense capabilities are set to receive a significant boost as the Indian Air Force (IAF) anticipates the delivery of the fourth regiment of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defense system by the fourth quarter of 2025, with the fifth and final regiment scheduled for August 2026. This development, part of a $5.43 billion (?35,000 crore) deal signed with Russia in October 2018 for five regiments, underscores India’s strategic focus on countering aerial threats from Pakistan and China. Despite delays caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the impending deliveries.
The S-400 Triumf, known to NATO as the SA-21 Growler, is a mobile, long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia’s Almaz-Antey corporation. Capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 400 km and altitudes of 30 km, the S-400 can intercept fighter jets, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, tracking up to 80 targets simultaneously. Each regiment consists of two batteries, with four launchers per battery, supported by multifunction radars like the 91N6E Big Bird and 92N6E Grave Stone, and a 55K6E command module. The system employs four missile types: the 40N6E (400 km range), 48N6E3 (250 km), and shorter-range 9M96E/E2 (40–120 km), offering multi-layered defense against diverse threats.
India’s acquisition of the S-400, formalized in 2018, aims to strengthen its air defense network along its western border with Pakistan and eastern frontier with China. The system’s combat debut on May 7, 2025, during Operation Sindoor, demonstrated its prowess, intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles targeting northern and western India. Deployed in Punjab, Rajasthan, and the Siliguri Corridor, the three operational regiments have already proven critical in safeguarding strategic assets, with one squadron positioned to protect the vital passage connecting India’s northeastern states.
The delivery schedule for the S-400 regiments has faced significant hurdles due to the Russia-Ukraine war, which disrupted Russia’s defense supply chains and prioritized domestic needs. The original timeline, set for completion by early 2024, was delayed, with the fourth and fifth regiments now expected by Q4 2025 and August 2026, respectively, as confirmed by Defence Ministry sources to India Today. Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, in October 2024, announced that deliveries would resume in 2025, citing Russia’s commitment to meet the revised schedule despite logistical challenges.
First Regiment (December 2021): Deployed in Punjab, operational against Pakistani threats.
Second Regiment (2022): Positioned in Rajasthan, enhancing western border defense.
Third Regiment (2023): Deployed in the eastern sector, likely covering the LAC with China.
Fourth Regiment (Q4 2025): Expected to bolster defenses along the China front, potentially in Arunachal Pradesh or Sikkim.
Fifth Regiment (August 2026): Will complete India’s S-400 network, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
The S-400’s combat effectiveness was vividly demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a Pakistan-backed terror attack in Kashmir on April 22, 2025. On May 7, the system neutralized a barrage of Pakistani drones and missiles targeting Indian military bases in Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, and Bhuj, preventing significant damage. Integrated with the IAF’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), the S-400’s ability to detect threats up to 600 km away and engage multiple targets underscored its role as a cornerstone of India’s air defense strategy.
The system’s performance has prompted discussions about procuring additional S-400 units, as reported by India Today on May 13, 2025. With Pakistan deploying Turkish drones and Chinese-supplied systems like the HQ-9, and China fielding advanced aircraft and missiles along the LAC, the S-400 provides a critical deterrent. Its deployment in the Siliguri Corridor, a chokepoint vulnerable to Chinese aggression, ensures protection against potential air and missile threats.
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