Overview
- India’s Defence Procurement Board has cleared the Indian Air Force proposal to add five S-400 air‑defence squadrons from Russia, according to people familiar with the matter.
- The proposal now proceeds to the Defence Acquisition Council for acceptance of necessity, followed by cost negotiations and final consideration by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
- Defence sources earlier indicated the new squadrons are intended for deployment on India’s eastern and western fronts.
- Three S-400 systems from a 2018 $5.43 billion order are operational, with two more expected to be inducted this year, as India pursues both completion of that deal and the expanded buy.
- Officials cited the systems’ performance during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, with reports of multiple Pakistani aircraft shot down at long range, and the Air Force is also seeking a fresh tender to purchase additional S-400 missiles.