Indian media retailers have confirmed that the nation’s defence ministry is scheduled to start formal discussions with Russia relating to the procurement of the S-500 lengthy vary air defence system. Talks will start throughout a gathering in New Delhi between India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov December 4. The assembly will even see either side additionally overview supply schedules for the S-400 lengthy vary air defence system, and additional ongoing talks on the attainable sale of Su-57 fifth era fighter plane. Russia is scheduled to finish the deliveries of the final of ten battalions’ value of S-400 methods by November 2026, regardless of rising demand from the Russian Aerospace Forces for the methods at a time when the nation’s defences are beneath sustained stress.
The Russian Aerospace Forces had been confirmed in December 2025 to have shaped their first full regiment outfitted with the S-500, which was the world’s first cell surface-to-air missile system with the flexibility to shoot down satellites or intercontinental vary ballistic missiles. The system’s very lengthy engagement vary of as much as 600 kilometres permits it to pose a critical menace to pressure multiplier belongings reminiscent of tankers and airborne early warning and management methods which might be very important to the functioning of NATO air energy. The system can even make use of the 40N6 lengthy vary surface-to-air missile which the Indian Air Drive has already procured to equip its S-400 methods, and fight examined to shoot down a excessive worth Pakistani assist plane in Could deep contained in the nation’s airspace at a variety of over 300 kilometres. The missile kind has additionally been extensively fight examined by the Russian Aerospace Forces to attain even longer vary kills within the Ukrainian theatre.
Indian curiosity in procuring the S-500 is more likely to have been stimulated by a number of components, considered one of which is China’s unveiling of the rival HQ-29 system in lively service in September. The 2 are the one methods on the planet that present a cell anti-ICBM and anti-satellite functionality, though the USA is anticipated to hunt to develop related methods as a part of the Golden Dome missile defence program. An extra issue is the reported significantly spectacular efficiency of the S-400 throughout engagements with Pakistani forces in Could, contesting sharply to the underwhelming efficiency of India’s different excessive profile new air defence asset the Rafale fighter which noticed between one and 4 shot down through the engagements. The underperformance of the Rafale, the which obtained little remark from Indian officers, served to additional elevate the perceived significance of the S-400, and is alleged to have additionally revived curiosity in procurements of extra superior Su-57 fighters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was amongst a number of officers who singled out the efficiency of the S-400 for reward when commenting on hostilities with Pakistan, observing: “Platforms just like the S-400 have given unprecedented energy to the nation… A robust safety defend has change into the identification of India.” Indian Air Drive Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh in early August noticed: “The S-400 system which we had not too long ago purchased has been a recreation changer… The kill vary of that system saved their plane away from the utmost distance at which they may make use of their long-range air-to-ground weapons, like these long-range glide bombs that they’ve.” The S-500’s capabilities are extremely complementary to these of the S-400, and will present a a lot wanted enchancment to air defence capabilities as neighbouring China is poised to start fielding the world’s first sixth era fighters from the early 2030s. Even with the Su-57 doubtlessly coming into service, the Indian fighter fleet is anticipated to stay effectively beneath parity in its sophistication relative to that of China, which makes the fielding of extra superior air defence methods significantly vital to offer an uneven defence.
