Russia to Resume S-400 Deliveries to India from 2026
Russia gears up for new missile deliveries.
Russia is poised to kick off deliveries of additional S-400 air defense systems to India as early as next year, following successful negotiations to strengthen military ties. The move comes months after the S-400 proved its mettle as an unbreachable shield during Operation Sindoor, thwarting Pakistan’s aerial attacks in May. Sources confirm that one unit is slated for 2026 and another for 2027, completing the five-unit order India placed in 2018 for Rs 39,000 crore to counter threats from Pakistan and China.
The delays in delivering the final two units were a key topic during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Russia last year and the recent India-Russia bilateral meeting. Dmitry Shugayev, head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, told TASS, “India already has our S-400 system. There’s potential to expand cooperation with new deliveries, and we’re in the negotiation stage.” Air Chief Marshal AP Singh hailed the system as a “game-changer,” noting its ability to detect threats 600 km away and neutralize over 100 targets, including ballistic missiles, with a 400 km range.
Three S-400 units, delivered between 2021 and 2023, are already deployed in Adampur (Punjab), the Eastern sector, and Western sector. Each unit, equipped with eight launch vehicles carrying four missile tubes, has bolstered India’s defense capabilities. The upcoming deliveries underscore the enduring India-Russia partnership, highlighted during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China, where leaders showcased their camaraderie. Russia also praised India’s defiance of US pressure to halt oil purchases, cementing their strategic alliance.
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As tensions simmer along India’s borders, the S-400’s advanced technology—capable of downing bombers, jets, and drones—remains a cornerstone of its security strategy. The negotiations signal a potential expansion beyond the original order, promising to further fortify India’s aerial defenses in the years ahead.
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