India is ready to obtain 5 extra squadrons of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system. The transfer follows the S-400 system’s spectacular efficiency throughout Operation Sindoor final yr, when it gained reward for intercepting and bringing down a number of Pakistani plane.
The transfer additionally comes because the Center East has been in strife since February 28 attributable to US-Israeli strikes in opposition to Iran, codenamed Operation Fury, which killed Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and retaliatory assaults by Tehran throughout the area.
Defence Ministry sources mentioned a proposal from the Indian Air Pressure to accumulate 5 extra squadrons of S-400, also referred to as Sudarshan Chakra, will quickly be taken up for clearance. The extra items are anticipated to be deployed alongside each the jap and western fronts to strengthen India’s layered air defence community.
India at present operates three S-400 methods, with two extra scheduled for induction this yr underneath the 2018 settlement with Russia for 5 squadrons.
Throughout Operation Sindoor, the S-400 system was credited by the Air Pressure with stopping Pakistani fighter jets, airborne early warning plane and digital intelligence platforms from working successfully on Might 10 final yr, when Indian forces focused airbases, radar installations and command-and-control centres throughout the border.
Officers mentioned the Sudarshan Chakra additionally intercepted cruise and ballistic missiles launched from Pakistan throughout the four-day confrontation.
In distinction, Pakistani forces had deployed extra Chinese language-origin HQ-9 air defence methods, which Indian officers declare had been unable to successfully counter Indian air operations concentrating on terror infrastructure. The HQ-9 system has additionally confronted criticism in different world battle zones, additional intensifying comparisons with the S-400’s capabilities.
The Air Pressure is now seeking to considerably scale up its stockpile of S-400 interceptors to reinforce preparedness in opposition to aerial and missile threats. Discussions with Russia are underway, and a recent tender is predicted to be issued quickly.
Alongside overseas procurement, the Defence Analysis and Growth Organisation (DRDO) is engaged on an indigenous long-range air defence system underneath Venture Kusha, aimed toward strengthening self-reliance in strategic defence applied sciences.
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