SOURCE: AFI
.jpg?w=610&q=50&compress=true&format=auto)
As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer following Operation Sindoor, sources close to the Indian Air Force (IAF) have clarified that the advanced S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system is being selectively used against high-value targets, particularly Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft, rather than engaging low-cost threats like drones or Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), as speculated on social media. The S-400’s sophisticated radar systems, deployed over Punjab and Jammu, have played a pivotal role in deterring PAF aircraft, forcing them to launch payloads from ineffective distances and significantly limiting their operational success.
Contrary to social media speculation that the S-400 was primarily used to neutralize Pakistan’s drone and missile attacks on May 7-8, 2025, IAF sources emphasize that the system’s high-cost interceptors—priced at $1–2 million per missile—are reserved for “targets of interest,” such as PAF fighter jets like the J-10C or F-16, which pose significant threats to Indian airspace. “The S-400 is not designed to engage low-cost drones or MLRS, which can be effectively countered by systems like the Akash, L-70, or integrated counter-UAS grids,” a source stated. Instead, the system’s primary role has been to create a defensive umbrella that deters PAF aircraft from approaching Indian territory.
The recovery of three nearly intact PL-15E debris in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, including propulsion, datalink, and inertial reference units, supports this assessment. The debris suggests that PAF’s attempts to target IAF assets, possibly Su-30 or Rafale squadrons, were launched from extended ranges, likely due to the S-400’s radar threat, resulting in missiles failing to acquire targets or running out of fuel. “The S-400’s radar dominance creates a no-fly zone effect, pushing PAF to fire from suboptimal ranges, reducing their hit probability,” an IAF source explained.
The S-400’s selective use follows Pakistan’s failed aerial assault on May 7-8, 2025, targeting 15 Indian military installations, including bases in Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles. While the IAF’s integrated air defence network, including the S-400, Akash, and counter-UAS systems, neutralized these threats, the S-400’s role was limited to high-priority targets. The upgraded L-70 guns, modernized by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), were credited with downing most of the drones, showcasing their cost-effectiveness against low-altitude threats.
This selective deployment aligns with the S-400’s strategic purpose: to counter sophisticated aerial threats like fighter jets, cruise missiles, or ballistic missiles, rather than expending expensive interceptors on drones costing tens of thousands of dollars. The system’s success in deterring PAF aircraft was evident during Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. India’s precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir prompted Pakistan’s retaliatory attacks, which were thwarted by India’s layered air defence network.
The S-400’s selective use underscores India’s layered air defence strategy, combining advanced systems like the S-400 with indigenous solutions like Akash and upgraded L-70 guns to address diverse threats. By keeping PAF aircraft at bay, the S-400 has not only protected critical assets but also disrupted Pakistan’s ability to project air power effectively. This deterrence capability enhances India’s strategic leverage, particularly as Pakistan relies on Chinese-supplied systems like the HQ-9, which have shorter ranges (100–200 km) and less advanced radar technology compared to the S-400.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.