IAF to Receive Fourth S-400 Squadron by June and Final by November This Year, Confirms Russia

The long-standing acquisition of the S-400 Triumf air defence system by the Indian Air Force (IAF) is entering its concluding stage.

Russian officials have confirmed that the fourth squadron is scheduled to arrive in India by late May or early June of this year, with the fifth and final squadron to follow in November.

This timeline heralds the imminent completion of one of India’s most significant strategic procurements in decades—a $5.43 billion (approx. ₹40,000 crore) deal originally signed in October 2018.

New Delhi’s decision to acquire the S-400 was driven by the need for a high-end, long-range air defence capability designed to neutralise advanced fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats.

Despite initial delays attributed to the conflict in Ukraine and global supply chain disruptions, three squadrons have already been inducted.

These units have been deployed to bolster aerial coverage across sensitive western and northern sectors, effectively expanding India’s engagement envelope and integrating into a robust network of sensors and command nodes.

Combat Proven in ‘Operation Sindoor’​

The system, known in Indian service as the Sudarshan Chakra, transitioned from a deterrent asset to a combat-proven platform during the border hostilities of May 2025, codenamed Operation Sindoor.

In official statements released later that year, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh credited the system with six successful aerial interceptions during the conflict.

The operational tally reportedly included engagements with multiple fighter aircraft and the neutralisation of a large airborne surveillance platform.

One interception, in particular, garnered significant international attention: officials indicated the destruction of a hostile target at a range exceeding 300 kilometres.

This engagement has been widely discussed within global defence circles as a new benchmark for surface-to-air missile performance, reinforcing the pivotal role of long-range air defence systems in modern battlespace control.

Strategic Capabilities and Future Integration​

Operationally, the S-400 offers India a layered engagement capability.

It combines high-altitude interceptors with advanced radar tracking and rapid command integration, allowing it to engage multiple targets simultaneously—a vital countermeasure against saturation tactics and electronic warfare.

Its integration with indigenous air defence elements, such as the Akash and MRSAM systems, has further enhanced the IAF’s situational awareness and response coordination.

The arrival of the final two squadrons later this year is expected to close remaining coverage gaps. This will enable the IAF to refine its deployment doctrine, shifting focus from acquisition to network optimisation, crew training, and interoperability with future indigenous missile defence layers.

A Decisive Shift in Air Defence Posture​

Beyond the hardware itself, the S-400 programme underscores the strategic priority India places on long-range air defence as a deterrence multiplier

As modern aerial warfare increasingly favours stand-off engagement and rapid escalation, early detection and interception capabilities have become the cornerstone of national security planning.

With the final components set to enter service by November, India’s air defence posture is transitioning from a phase of procurement to sustained operational maturity.

The completion of the Sudarshan Chakra induction represents not just a milestone in defence cooperation with Russia, but a decisive step in fortifying India’s defensive envelope against emerging aerial threats.

 

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