India In Talks With Russia For More S-400 Missile Systems After Its Game-Changing Role In Op Sindoor

Last Updated:May 27, 2026, 08:53 IST

Moscow said S-400 system had “proved itself” during Operation Sindoor, leading India to consider expanding its inventory beyond the five regimental sets.

India is negotiating with Russia for additional batches of the S-400 Triumf air defence system after its massive success during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last year.

Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) confirmed on Tuesday that talks are underway for fresh deliveries of the advanced missile defence platform.

According to Russian state-controlled broadcaster RT India, Moscow said the S-400 system had “proved itself" during Operation Sindoor, leading India to consider expanding its inventory beyond the five regimental sets ordered under the 2018 agreement.

“Russia and India are negotiating the delivery of an additional batch of S-400 Triumf air defence systems, according to Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation. Moscow said the S-400 ‘proved itself’ during Operation Sindoor, with India now expressing interest in expanding its inventory beyond the five regimental sets ordered under the 2018 deal," read RT India’s post on X.

Talks for additional S-400 units

Reports said India’s Defence Acquisition Council had approved plans to procure five more regimental systems. The negotiations are taking place even as Russia completes deliveries under the earlier 5.4 billion dollar deal signed in 2018.

Russia had delivered the first three S-400 systems to India by 2023. These were deployed along India’s western and northern borders. However, the delivery of the remaining two systems was delayed due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

FSVTS chief Dmitry Shugayev said last week that deliveries were now back on schedule.

The fourth system is expected to arrive in India this month, while the fifth and final unit is likely to be delivered in November.

‘Sudarshan Chakra’ role in Operation Sindoor

Known in India as “Sudarshan Chakra", the S-400 system played a major role during Operation Sindoor. The mobile missile defence platform was used to neutralise hostile aerial threats and provide protection to important Indian air bases and cities.

India has strategically deployed the systems to build a multi-layered defence shield against threats from both Pakistan and China. The S-400 is seen as one of the world’s most advanced long-range air defence systems, capable of tracking and engaging multiple aerial targets simultaneously.

Meanwhile, India’s Defence Ministry and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are now working on integrating the S-400 systems with the indigenous Project Kusha, also known as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS).

The integration will take place through the Indian Air Command and Control System (IACCS).

Officials aim to create a pan-India missile defence shield capable of sharing operational data between systems and enabling coordinated “buddy firing".

The network-based framework is also expected to help India maintain strategic autonomy while combining imported and indigenous defence technologies.

India moves ahead on Rafale jet deal

Alongside the S-400 negotiations, India has also moved closer to a major defence agreement with France for 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

India has finalised the Letter of Request for the acquisition of the 4.5-generation fighter aircraft. Defence officials said the document is expected to be sent to France within the next few weeks.

The proposed deal is estimated to be worth around Rs 3.25 lakh crore.

Under the plan, nearly 90 of the 114 Rafale jets would be manufactured in India through a partnership between Dassault Aviation and an Indian company under the Make-in-India programme.

The remaining 24 aircraft are expected to arrive directly from France in fly-away condition. Officials said the indigenous content in the aircraft is expected to reach nearly 50 per cent.

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