Overview
- The fourth S-400 battery, which cleared an Indian Air Force inspection on April 18, left Russia last week and is due at an Indian port by mid-May for end‑May deployment in Rajasthan.
- The Defence Acquisition Council on March 27 approved a follow‑on order for five more S-400 systems to extend the country’s long‑range air defence.
- India plans to purchase about 280 S-400 missiles to replace rounds used during Operation Sindoor and to stock a reserve.
- The fifth unit from the 2018 contract is expected around November, with reporting indicating a placement on the China‑facing sector.
- To protect the long‑range sites from drones and loitering munitions, authorities intend to import at least 12 Pantsir short‑range systems and build roughly 40 more in India.