As tensions between India and Pakistan soar following Operation Sindoor and mutual aerial strikes, India’s deployment of the S-400 air defence system, locally referred to as Sudarshan Chakra, has gained renewed focus. The highly advanced missile shield is considered a cornerstone of India’s air defence setup, with the capability to counter a wide range of aerial threats such as drones, stealth aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
Developed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau, the S-400 Triumf is one of the most sophisticated long-range surface-to-air missile systems in the world. India signed a ₹35,000 crore (approximately $5.4 billion) deal with Russia in 2018 for five squadrons. As of now, three squadrons are operational, while the remaining two are expected by 2026.
Each S-400 squadron includes two batteries, with each battery equipped with six launchers, surveillance and engagement radars, and a command-and-control center. The system can simultaneously track up to 160 targets and engage 72 of them, providing a strong shield against complex aerial attacks.
The S-400 system uses four types of missiles, each designed to intercept threats at different ranges:
- Short-range: up to 40 km
- Medium-range: up to 120 km
- Long-range: up to 250 km
- Very long-range: up to 400 km
The system can engage targets at altitudes up to 30 km and is equipped with phased-array radars and electronic countermeasures to operate effectively in contested airspace. Indian Air Force drills have shown the S-400 neutralising over 80 percent of simulated enemy aircraft during exercises.
The latest deployment comes amid the Indian military’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to an April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. India has since targeted nine terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and intercepted multiple Pakistani drones and missiles, including a reported air defence system in Lahore.
Besides India and Russia, countries such as China, Turkiye, Algeria, and Belarus operate the S-400. Russia also deployed the system in Syria at its Khmeimim Air Base. Its sale to Turkiye sparked tensions with NATO over interoperability concerns.
As India faces growing threats on its western front, the S-400 plays a vital role in enhancing airspace security and providing a technological edge in any aerial conflict scenario.
