In the wake of recent escalations, the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defense system, known as "Sudarshan Chakra" in India, has played a pivotal role in safeguarding Indian airspace. The S-400's performance during these events has not only validated India's investment in the system but has also prompted discussions about future procurements and the broader implications for regional security.
The S-400's combat debut occurred on May 7, 2025, when Pakistan launched a coordinated aerial assault, deploying drones and missiles targeting Indian military bases. Integrated into the Indian Air Force's command network, the S-400 systems detected the incoming threats and launched interceptors, successfully neutralizing them. This prevented significant damage to key installations. The system demonstrated high accuracy and effectiveness in countering aerial threats. The S-400 forced Pakistani jets and missiles to abort missions or change course, delivering a decisive blow to their strike plans.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adampur base of the Indian Air Force to counter Pakistan's claim of destroying the S-400 air defense system in the station. Indian defense forces have rejected Pakistan's "false narratives" and asserted that all Indian defense infrastructure remained fully operational.
The S-400's ability to track and destroy diverse threats, from low-flying drones to high-speed missiles, has validated India's investment. In a July 2024 exercise, the system achieved an 80% success rate against simulated enemy aircraft, compelling surviving targets to retreat. This performance underscored the system's integration into India's defense architecture, enabling rapid response and precise targeting.
Following the successful use of the S-400 air defense missile system during Operation Sindoor, India has formally approached Russia with a request for additional units of the platform. Russia is likely to approve the request soon. India inked a USD 5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five S-400 air defense systems, deploying the first in Punjab in 2021 to counter aerial threats from Pakistan and China. The S-400 can track targets up to 600 km away and intercept them at ranges of up to 400 km. Capable of firing four types of missiles, the S-400 can intercept aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic projectiles. Its advanced phased-array radar tracks over 100 targets at once, while mobile launchers allow swift redeployment on the battlefield.
The S-400's role in countering drones has sparked debate among defense experts. While its radar can detect small, low-altitude targets, the cost of its interceptors raises questions about economic efficiency against drones. Alternative technologies, such as laser-based defenses or electronic warfare systems, could offer cheaper solutions for drone threats.
For India, the successful operation validated its multi-layered defense strategy, combining Russian, indigenous, and Western systems. The Indian Air Force operates French Rafale jets, Israeli Heron drones, and U.S.-supplied Predator drones, reflecting a diversification away from its historical reliance on Russia. The S-400's performance may accelerate India's push to integrate its remaining squadrons, despite Russia's supply chain challenges. For Russia, the event was a marketing triumph, demonstrating the S-400's reliability to potential buyers in the global arms market.
Regionally, the engagement altered the strategic calculus. Pakistan, reliant on Chinese systems and drones, faces a widened technological gap with India. Its HQ-9 lacks the S-400's range and radar sophistication, limiting its ability to counter deep strikes. China may reassess its air defense deployments along the Line of Actual Control, where tensions with India have persisted since a 2020 border clash.
As modern warfare enters a new era of speed and stealth, India's missile defence needs are evolving fast. While the S-400 has proven its worth, New Delhi may soon need to look beyond — towards the next frontier of air defence: Russia's S-500 Prometheus. The S-500 is designed to destroy ballistic missiles, hypersonic targets, and aircraft at altitudes up to 200 km and speeds up to 7 km/s. With a 600 km range for ballistic targets and the ability to engage 10 hypersonic threats simultaneously, the S-500 would significantly bolster India's layered air defence.
