Rs 56,000-Crore Mega Deal On The Table: Not Su-57, India Eyes Massive S-400 Air Defence System Expansion During Modi-Putin Meet | World News
Modi-Putin Meeting: Strategic realities are changing around the world and India is feeling the impact. In modern warfare, air threats have become the most unpredictable danger a nation can face. Air battles witnessed during the Russia-Ukraine war, the Iran-Israeli conflict and Operation Sindoor have shown how vulnerable airspace can be. Protecting this area has become one of India’s most challenging national security challenges.
For this reason, the country is preparing to strengthen its air defense shield with one of the most ambitious purchases of recent years. The plan being discussed would include a new order of five additional S-400 air defense squadrons, a decision that could transform New Delhi’s ability to stop enemy planes, missiles and drones long before they approach Indian skies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on December 5, where the final approval for this major defense package is expected to be discussed. Officials involved in the preparations say that the agreement will most likely be one of the most important issues of the meeting.
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India signed the original S-400 contract with Russia in 2018, worth more than $5 billion. Three squadrons have already been delivered. Moscow has assured New Delhi that the remaining two will be supplied by November 2026. The Ukraine war slowed deliveries. Now India is on track to double its fleet.
A single S-400 fleet costs approximately $1.25 billion at current exchange rates, which translates into approximately 11.149 billion rupees. India will spend around Rs 56,000 million for five more units. This will be one of India’s largest air defense investments ever.
The meeting will also include discussions on the purchase of a large stockpile of missiles to support the currently deployed S-400 systems. These batteries had played a key role during Operation Sindoor, where their performance was highly praised by the Indian Air Force.
Although Russia has called on India to evaluate the fifth-generation fighter jet Su-57, which is envisioned as a rival to the American F-35, New Delhi has not yet made a final decision. Sources say the Air Force wants an interim fifth-generation aircraft until the domestic AMCA fighter enters service around 2035, but no specific platform has been shortlisted so far.
China currently operates a fleet of six S-400s. If India completes the new order, its fleet will increase to 10, which will significantly strengthen the country’s long-range air defense posture.
Why is S-400 So Important?
Russia reiterated its commitment to complete India’s original order by the end of 2026. However, the Ministry of Defense has approved the purchase of additional S-400 missiles worth approximately Rs 10,000 billion. Some of these were used during tense moments with Pakistan, increasing the urgency of replenishing stocks.
A report by The Times of India stated that the Air Force has officially requested five more S-400 squadrons. Russia has also agreed to set up an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) center in India so that systems can be maintained and upgraded without the need for foreign facilities.
IAF Air Chief Marshal AP Singh recently stated that during Operation Sindoor, the S-400 demonstrated a strike range of 314 kilometers by shooting down at least five advanced Pakistani fighter jets, including F-16s and JF-17 variants, the longest engagement ever recorded.
Balancing the USA and Russia
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, Washington’s trade and security decisions have become much more assertive. Many countries, including India, felt this impact. The challenge for New Delhi is to maintain stable ties with both major powers while maintaining long-standing defense cooperation with Russia.
The US has sold more than $26 billion worth of defense equipment to India in the last 15 years. India recently completed a deal worth Rs 8,900 crore for 113 GE-F404 engines. The Cabinet Committee on Security also approved the Rs 7,000-crore support package for the Navy’s 24 MH-60R helicopters.
Maintaining this balance while strengthening cooperation with Russia remains one of India’s most sensitive diplomatic tasks.
Su-30MKI Upgrade Package
Another important decision is at the door. CCS is set to complete the long-awaited upgrade of 84 Su-30MKI fighter jets, a program worth around Rs 63,000 crore. These aircraft will be equipped with new radar systems, advanced avionics, long-range weapons and multi-sensor packages. The upgrades will give the Su-30 fleet at least another thirty years of operational life.
The work will be carried out in India with Russian technical support where needed.
