India Expands Procurement of S-400 Air Defense Missile System, "As the Core of the Defense System"

【Global Times Special Correspondent in India, Bai Yufei】Against the backdrop of ongoing global security turmoil, India is advancing the final delivery of its advanced S-400 air defense missile system as planned. According to a report on the Indian Ministry of Defense's official website on the 29th, India is expected to receive the fourth set of S-400 air defense missile systems from Russia as early as April, with the fifth set anticipated in November.

By then, all five sets of S-400 air defense missile systems purchased by India from Russia will have been received and will gradually be integrated into five air defense squadrons of the Indian Air Force by the end of this year. Indian media reports that India also plans to continue purchasing more Russian weapons, with the S-400 air defense missile system serving as the core of the national defense system. At the same time, India is actively supporting domestic "military factories."

In October 2018, India and Russia signed a defense agreement worth $5.43 billion. Under the agreement, Russia will deliver five sets of S-400 air defense missile systems to India. Currently, three sets of this air defense missile system have been successfully delivered and integrated into the Indian Air Force. Reports indicate that these air defense missile systems are typically delivered to India by a combination of ships and aircraft.

According to the Hindustan Times, the Indian Ministry of Defense's procurement committee approved a large-scale defense upgrade plan worth 2.38 trillion rupees (approximately $25.1 billion) on the 27th. Under this plan, India will continue to purchase more Russian S-400 air defense missile systems and will enhance its armed forces with unmanned attack aircraft, transport aircraft, artillery, tanks, and various munitions. Reports state that the S-400 air defense missile system will become the core of the national defense system proposed under India's "Sudarshan Wheel Plan," which is expected to be deployed by 2035.

In recent years, India has frequently imported a large amount of military weapons from Russia, while also actively developing its own defense industry. According to India’s ZeeNews, initiatives such as "Self-Reliant India" and "Make in India" proposed by the Indian government are injecting new vitality into India's radar, surveillance, and aerospace manufacturing sectors. "It is expected that India's defense exports will exceed 290 billion rupees (approximately $3.06 billion) in the current fiscal year, marking a significant shift in India's position on the international stage." Reports indicate that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has exposed the risks of over-reliance on Russian weapon imports, while ongoing military confrontations in the Middle East have also led to military supply shortages for the U.S. and Israel, creating new opportunities for Indian defense enterprises, which are receiving strong support from the Indian central government. Reports indicate that India is currently exporting radars, electronic warfare systems, thermal imagers, and aviation components to dozens of countries.