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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Remaining S-400 defence system coming on time, says Russian envoy as he cites India-Pakistan conflict
Russian deputy ambassador Roman Babushkin to New India on Monday said India will receive the remaining regiments of the S-400 strategic air defence missile system by 2026, as scheduled. The S-400 missile system performed well in India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles. There have been talks of an additional batch of the missile system. 'We heard that S-400 performed very efficiently during the situation between India and Pakistan,' Roman Babushkin told news agency PTI. Acknowledging that India and Russia have a long history of collaboration, Roman Babushkin said the air defence systems, 'according to what we are experiencing, the situation in Europe, here, this is one of the promising topics of our partnership in defence preparation in general'. "As far as my knowledge goes, the contract for the remaining S-400 units will be according to the schedule. We are open for a promotion of this partnership for the discussion of the expansion of dialogue on air defence system... I think it will be done in 2025, 2026," he added. India inked a $5.43 billion contract with Russia in 2018 for five regiments. Of the five, three have been deployed along the western and northern fronts, bordering Pakistan and China, respectively. India had received the first regiment in December 2021, while the second and third were delivered in April 2022 and October 2023, respectively. Re-christened as 'Sudarshan Chakra', the S-400 can detect, destroy hostile strategic bombers, jets, spy planes, missiles and drones at a range of 380 kilometres. Going by information shared by the Indian government, the acquisition was to be completed by 2023, The New Indian Express reported, citing unnamed sources. The S-400 system's delivery schedule got delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict which affected supply chains and production, the report added. 'The S-400 Missile is a potent system in terms of its operational capability to provide a continuous and effective air defence system to a very large area. With the induction of this system, air defence capability of the nation will be significantly enhanced,' the ministry of defence had said in a statement in 2021. The S-400 system is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, at varying ranges and altitudes. It consists of three main components: missile launchers, a powerful radar, and a command centre. It is capable of targeting aircraft, cruise missiles, and even high-speed intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The S-400 is seen as a major threat by NATO members due to its impressive long-range capabilities. It can engage almost all types of modern combat aircraft.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Russia to deliver remaining two S-400 regiments to India in 2026
NEW DELHI: India is to get the remaining two regiments of the S-400 strategic air defence missile system from Russia in 2026. A source in the defence establishment said, "India will be receiving the fourth and fifth regiment of the S-400 Triumf air defense missile system from Russia in February 2026 and August 2026, respectively." The missile performed well in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, intercepting Pakistani drones and missiles. There are talks ongoing for additional batteries of the missile system. The $5.43 billion contract for five regiments was inked in 2018. Three are already deployed along the western and northern fronts, bordering Pakistan and China, respectively. India had received the first regiment in December 2021, while the second and third were delivered in April 2022 and October 2023, respectively. After induction, it was re-christened as "Sudarshan Chakra". Going by information shared by the Indian government, the acquisition was to be completed by 2023.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
NSA Ajit Doval to visit Russia next week, delivery of S-400 missile defence system likely on agenda
NSA Ajit Doval (File photo) NEW DELHI: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval is expected to visit Moscow next week, where he is likely to press the Russian government for the expedited delivery of the remaining two S-400 air defence systems. The NSA's visit comes amid reports that India may place fresh orders for additional units of the same system to bolster its military capabilities. The trip will follow a visit by a delegation of Indian Members of Parliament to Moscow, beginning Thursday. Doval's visit carries added significance in the wake of India's recent air strikes in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor . The operation saw the use of BrahMos missiles, developed jointly by India and Russia, and the S-400 system, among other Russian-origin defence platforms that played a key role in the conflict. India is now looking to deepen its political and strategic coordination with Moscow, particularly in countering terror infrastructure based in Pakistan. Sources said that New Delhi expects Russia's continued support in line with the longstanding India-Russia security partnership. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a major Eurasian power, Russia has historically played a balancing role in the region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ready-to-Move Flats in Chattarpur South Delhi A D Infra Get Info Undo The Indo-Russian relationship has frequently acted as a counterweight to other global powers in Eurasia. Moscow has also been one of India's most consistent partners in counter-terrorism cooperation over the decades. Doval is expected to take part in the 13th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues, scheduled to be held in Moscow from May 27 to 29. The event will be chaired by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu. On the sidelines, Doval is slated to hold bilateral meetings with various national security counterparts, including Shoigu himself. What is S-400 Sudarshan Chakra? The S-400 "Sudarshan Chakra" is an Indian name given to the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system acquired from Russia. The term "Sudarshan Chakra" draws from the Epic Mahabharata, symbolising precision, speed, and lethal capability, qualities that closely reflect the S-400's operational strengths. Developed by Russia's Almaz-Antey, the S-400 is among the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems in the world. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 to procure five S-400 units, with the first system deployed in Punjab in 2021 to bolster defences against threats from Pakistan and China. The S-400 can engage aerial targets at ranges of up to 400 km and detect threats as far as 600 km away. It supports four different types of missiles, enabling it to target everything from aircraft and drones to cruise and ballistic missiles. Equipped with sophisticated phased-array radar, the system can track over 100 targets simultaneously and is mounted on mobile launchers for rapid repositioning. The deployment of the S-400 significantly strengthens India's multi-layered air defence capabilities, offering a strategic edge in protecting key military and civilian assets. It is widely regarded as a game-changer in South Asia's aerial defence landscape.
The Print
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
This is the new India—we don't return to business as usual after terror attacks
India has advanced significantly in defence. It is no longer going to think, act, or operate within decades-old frameworks. Today's situations, understanding, policies, and execution reflect the strength of a new India. New Normal means staying firmly aligned with the present. After terror attacks, we used to revert to old, normal situations. Each challenge was treated as an isolated event, and after immediate responses, we returned to business as usual, as if nothing had happened. But the Prime Minister has rejected that mindset. It reflects a strong political will and a firm decision to act according to present needs and capacities — that is the New Normal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on 12 May. In his speech, the clarity, determination, and confidence with which he presented India's stance to the world were unprecedented — no predecessor had shown such courage. He used the term 'New Normal' in his address, which is highly relevant to understand in the current context. A proactive strategy The country now strikes with precision. The New Normal is marked by aggressive, decisive, and independent military action against terrorism. It means striking every terrorist base, acting on our own terms without limitations, and giving top priority to national security. PM Modi made it clear: India's response to terrorism will no longer be limited or symbolic — it will be decisive military action, whether deep inside Pakistan or just across the border. India will make no distinction between terrorists and the nations that harbour them. 'Nuclear blackmail' or border cover will no longer stop India. We will respond on our own terms and take tough action wherever the roots of terrorism are found. Like developed nations, India has gained modern warfare tools. India can intercept missiles and drone attacks in the air. It is alert, prepared, and armed with technologies like BrahMos, Akash, and Sudarshan Chakra — these define India's New Normal in offence and defence. India's Pakistan policy has also changed — the focus is no longer merely on dialogue or normalisation, but on protecting national security and sovereignty. The main issue is terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Our policy is clear: Terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand. Neither do terrorism and trade go hand in hand. Blood and water cannot flow together, as Modi said. Also read: If Pakistan doesn't halt aggression, India may be compelled to enter Pakistan: VK Menon at UN India does not accept external interference, and if anyone tries, India has the capacity to reverse the situation. This is the extraordinary New Normal of India. Mediators claiming credit or praise did not please India — they were forced to retract their statements. India has shifted from a reactive to a proactive strategy. That is, we will no longer wait for incidents to happen but will act based on the possibility of such events occurring. India now can counter false narratives as well. Using truth and evidence, the false narratives created by enemy nations are swiftly countered through all available technologies and media. Truth becomes vocal and visible. Now, drones not only strike, but also send visuals of where the strike happened. Like Google Earth, screens show the debris. This is the New Normal of the new India. Even the Indian public now has a New Normal. They can distinguish between friends and foes of India and make decisions quickly. Tickets and trade deals with countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan were canceled. Citizens send a clear message: we don't welcome unnecessary foreign mediation. Welcome to India's New Normal. Welcome to the decisions and leadership that define it. The author is the national secretary BJP, former Haryana minister. Views are personal.
The Print
14-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
From Pechora to S-400, Russian air defence systems India used to repel Pakistan's aerial incursions
Russia continues to be India's largest arms supplier, with New Delhi long relying on Moscow's defence technology to build the backbone of its military power including the air defence systems. Among the threats were the swarms of drones—small, agile and designed to exploit radar blind spots that posed a unique challenge. But across the western front including Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu, India's integrated air defence network knocked them out of the sky as well as intercepted more sophisticated threats like Pakistan's guided artillery rocket system, Fatah II. New Delhi: As Pakistan launched drones, loitering munitions, and long-range weapons last week, India's Russian-origin arsenal held firm. From legacy air defence guns to modern surface-to-air missile systems, the network of Soviet-era and contemporary Russian platforms formed the backbone of India's multi-layered shield, blunting the aerial threat between 7 and 10 May. On Monday, Director General Air Operations, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, described the country's air defence as a 'wall impossible to breach.' The multi-tiered air defence (AD) network, a mix of legacy systems and newly acquired game changers, both indigenous and imported, thwarted multiple waves of Pakistani attacks on scores of locations from May 7 to 10, minimising damage to military infrastructure and civilian areas, Air Marshal Bharti said at the special briefing on Operation Sindhoor. ThePrint looks at the Russian systems that played a critical role alongside other weapons during the mass airspace incursion carried out by Pakistan over the past few nights. Also Read: 2 women officers, 1 loud message: Col Qureshi, Wing Cdr Singh lead precision briefing on Op Sindoor S-400, India's 'Sudarshan Chakra' At the heart of India's defensive shield was the Russian S-400 Triumf system, the country's long-range air defence spearhead. Dubbed the 'Sudarshan Chakra', the S-400 is capable of engaging a wide array of aerial threats, from stealth aircraft and drones to cruise and ballistic missiles, at ranges up to 400 km. With radar capable of tracking targets up to 600 km away, each S-400 battery can simultaneously engage up to 36 threats across multiple altitudes and velocities, deploying four types of missiles to form a layered interception envelope. Multiple reports point out that the S-400 was key in successfully intercepting Pakistan's indigenously developed Fatah II guided artillery rocket near Sirsa, Haryana Saturday. Anticipating the S-400's engagement envelope, Pakistan had reportedly relocated its F-16 squadrons to bases further inland, an implicit acknowledgement of the system's deterrent value. India had signed a Rs 35,000 crore deal with Russia for five S-400 squadrons in 2018. Three squadrons have been delivered, while the remaining two are expected by 2026, a delay attributed to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Pakistan had falsely claimed to have destroyed an S-400 system at Adampur air base. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the base during which photos and video footage showed the air defence system in the background, effectively debunking the claim. ZU-23 air defence guns As drones and low-flying munitions entered India's radar perimeter, the short-range air defence systems, many of them from Soviet-era but modernised by Indian defence firms, came into action. Among them was the ZU-23-2, a twin-barrel 23 mm anti-aircraft gun introduced by India in the 1960s. Despite its age, the ZU-23 remains a mainstay of India's point defence, particularly for securing air bases, ammunition depots and forward posts. Sources in the defence establishment say that across Udhampur, Samba and Pathankot, ZU-23s were responsible for shooting down dozens of enemy drones. Mounted on towed platforms or 8×8 trucks in high-threat zones, these guns are capable of firing up to 2,000 rounds per minute and quickly form a dense flak barrier within a 2.5 km range ideal for engaging drones and low-altitude threats. The upgraded versions of the ZU-23 fleet have replaced manual controls with an all-electric system and EOFCS (electro-optical fire control systems), enabling autonomous operation. Moreover, the new configuration includes day-and-night imaging cameras, laser rangefinders and digital fire control computers, allowing precise targeting even in extreme weather and terrain. Schilka air defence system In areas where mobility is key, the Schilka system or the ZSU-23-4, provided self-propelled, radar-guided air defence. Mounted on a tracked chassis and equipped with four 23 mm autocannons and onboard radar, the Schilka can quickly track and destroy multiple targets in real time. Originally designed for Soviet mobile formations, the Indian variant has been modernised by Bharat Electronics Limited. In 2011, the state-owned company received a contract to upgrade approximately 90 of the Army's ageing Schilka systems, first acquired in the early 1980s. The upgraded variant includes a new 3D active phased-array radar, enhanced electro-optical sights, and improved electronic warfare capabilities, vastly extending its utility on the modern battlefield. Pechora surface-to-air missile Another legacy system reported to play a pivotal role was the Pechora, or S-125 Neva/Pechora, a staple of India's air defence network since the 1970s. A medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) system, the Pechora is known for its reliability. The Pechora's presence, according to the defence sources, provided critical coverage at sites where newer systems were either engaged elsewhere or held in reserve. The Pechora employs radar-guided V-600 missiles and uses the 4R90 Yatagan radar with five parabolic antennas to detect, track and engage low- to mid-altitude threats. With a detection range of 100 km and interception capability at altitudes up to 25 km, it can simultaneously target two threats at speeds of up to 900 m/s. The seamless integration of long-range missile systems, radar-guided mobile units and point-defence guns into a unified command network is what created the 'wall' that Air Marshal Bharti referenced. It's a doctrine of layered lethality, built over decades, that continues to hold. While India increasingly pivots towards indigenisation and Israeli technologies, the Russian-made platforms that formed the core of its air defence response are a reminder of a strategic partnership that still delivers under fire. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: All about the P-8I Poseidon, India's 'Eye in the Sky' amid tensions over Pahalgam terror attack
