S-400 deliveries expedited as India enhances air defence, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• India will receive the remaining two S-400 air defense system units from Russia in 2026, with one expected in April and the final one in November.
• A $5.43 billion deal was signed between India and Russia in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400 system.
• So far, three S-400 units have been inducted into service.
• The delivery timeline was expedited after delays due to supply chain disruptions and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Detailed Insights:

• The timely delivery of the S-400 systems is being ensured through close coordination between India and Russia at the highest levels.
• Discussions regarding the delivery timelines occurred during a bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov in June 2025.
• The S-400 is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system capable of engaging aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and ballistic and cruise missiles within a range of up to 400 km.
• The acquisition of the S-400 enhances India's air defense capabilities, providing a strategic advantage in the face of evolving security challenges.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Air Defence System: A system designed to detect, track, and neutralize aerial threats.
• Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM): A missile launched from the ground to destroy airborne targets.
• Ballistic Missile: A missile that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload over long distances.