India will receive the fourth of five Russian-made S-400 air defence system squadrons by the end of 2025, Defence Ministry sources confirmed to India Today, adding that the final squadron is expected in 2026.
The Rs 35,000 crore deal for five S-400 squadrons was signed in 2018, and three squadrons have already been deployed.
Each S-400 squadron includes 16 vehicles, comprising launchers, radar, control centres, and support vehicles. It can track aerial threats up to 600 km away. The S-400 uses four missile types, capable of engaging targets at ranges of up to 400 km. It can intercept fighter jets, ballistic missiles, and drones, making it a vital part of India’s defence arsenal. These systems are critical for protecting India’s strategic assets.
One of the deployed squadrons has been strategically positioned to protect the Siliguri Corridor, a vital passage connecting India’s northeastern states with the rest of the country. Another squadron has been stationed in the Pathankot region to strengthen the defence of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, providing security against potential aerial threats from both China and Pakistan. The third squadron has been deployed along India’s western border, ensuring protection for key locations in Rajasthan and Gujarat from enemy attacks.
Following the escalation of tensions with China in Ladakh in 2020, India has been enhancing its air defence capabilities to counter emerging threats.
Sources also stated that the Army is set to receive 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles in 2025, followed by an additional one lakh units in 2026 under an arms deal with Russia. This delivery, part of a larger agreement with Moscow, is aimed at equipping Indian soldiers with one of the most advanced and reliable assault rifles in the world.
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