New Delhi: The Indian Armed Forces, during Operation Sindoor, decimated the terror launchpads and training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
Reports now suggest that Pakistan has initiated a fresh effort to reconstruct terror camps. This rebuilding process is receiving full support from Pakistan’s military, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and government authorities. During the operation, the India’s S-400 air defence systems also played a pivotal role. Now, the Modi government is planning to purchase of two more squadrons of the long-range surface-to-air missile system from Russia, news agency ANI has reported.
What Role Did S-400 Systems Play During Operation Sindoor?
During Operation Sindoor, the S-400 systems intercepted multiple Pakistan Air Force fighter jets and airborne early warning aircraft. Notably, one system achieved a record by hitting an aircraft over 300 kilometres away, highlighting its long-range strike capability.
When will Russia deliver the remaining two S-400 squadrons?
Russia has assured India it will deliver the two remaining squadrons of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems, which played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last month, by 2026-27. According to a Times of India report, the delivery of the fourth and fifth squadrons of the S-400 air defence systems, which has been hugely delayed due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, figured in the bilateral meeting between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov.
Why is indigenous LRSAM development facing delays?
The move to consider additional S-400 units is also driven by delays in India’s indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) initiative, Project Kusha. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited and Bharat Dynamics Limited, the project is still some time away from full deployment, making an interim solution necessary.
It is important to note that Each S-400 squadron has two missile batteries with 128 missiles each. These missiles have interception ranges of 120, 200, 250 and 380-km, as well as long-range acquisition and engagement radars and all-terrain transporter-erector vehicles.
The IAF has deployed the first three S-400 squadrons in north-west and east India to cater for both China and Pakistan.