Russia has assured India that the delivery of the remaining S-400 Triumf missile systems will be completed by 2027, despite delays caused by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. This commitment was reaffirmed during a bilateral meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China.
The original agreement, signed in 2018 for $5.43 billion (Rs 40,000 crore), stipulated that India would receive five S-400 squadrons by the end of 2023. However, the Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted this timeline. To date, India has received and deployed three squadrons, strategically positioned in the northwest and east to deter potential threats from Pakistan and China. According to sources, Russia has committed to delivering the fourth squadron in 2026 and the fifth in 2027.
The S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last month. Each S-400 squadron includes two missile batteries equipped with long-range radar, mobile launchers, and up to 128 missiles capable of intercepting aerial threats at ranges between 120 and 380 kilometers.
In addition to the S-400 systems, discussions between Singh and Belousov also covered the upgrade of Su-30MKI fighter jets and the procurement of other critical defence hardware within expedited timeframes. The meeting underscored the importance of Indo-Russian military ties, particularly in light of recent events such as Operation Sindoor and the ongoing threats from both Pakistan and China.
India is also actively developing its indigenous air defence system, Project Kusha, with operational deployment planned for 2028-2029. This system is designed to intercept airborne threats up to 350 km away. The Defence Ministry approved the procurement of five squadrons of Project Kusha in September 2023 at a cost of ₹21,700 crore. Project Kusha is seen as India's response to global supply chain vulnerabilities and the need for strategic autonomy in air defence.
Despite warnings from the United States regarding potential sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for countries trading with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors, India has maintained that its defence acquisitions are guided by national security considerations and strategic priorities.
