India, Russia in Talks for More S-400s After System’s Stellar Combat Debut

India is holding ongoing discussions with Russia for the further procurement of S-400 air defence systems, following the missile system’s “exemplary” performance during recent military operations. Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov confirmed that talks are active but declined to comment on specific outcomes, emphasizing the strong and continuous nature of the Indo-Russian strategic partnership.

The S-400, credited with intercepting Pakistani drones, missiles, and even shooting down an AWACS aircraft at a record distance during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, has reinforced its value in India’s air defence network. India has already inducted three S-400 units, with two more scheduled for delivery by 2025, despite earlier delays due to the Ukraine conflict.
 

Sources suggest that, given the system’s battlefield success and India’s need to secure its airspace against multiple threats, New Delhi may soon place additional orders for the S-400, and could even consider Russia’s next-generation S-500 system in the future.

 

Source: Times of India, News18, Firstpost, Eurasian Times