India May Order 1-2 Additional S-400 Units After 'Operation Sindoor' Successfully Neutralizes Pakistani Air Threats

Following the overwhelming success of Operation Sindoor, where Indian air defense forces reportedly neutralized multiple Pakistani aerial assets including fighter jets, drones, and missile threats, India is now seriously considering ordering one to two more units of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defense system, in addition to the five regiments already contracted.

A Strategic Move Backed by Combat Proven Success

Operation Sindoor marked the first real combat employment of India’s S-400 system in a high-intensity conflict scenario. The system demonstrated its exceptional performance by successfully targeting and destroying several incoming Pakistani aircraft and standoff threats before they could approach Indian airspace. This real-time validation of its capabilities has reportedly given Indian defense planners the confidence to expand the fleet.

While India had earlier planned for five S-400 regiments under a $5.43 billion deal signed with Russia in 2018, the demonstrated efficiency in neutralizing threats during Operation Sindoor has prompted renewed interest in scaling up the procurement. Sources close to the Ministry of Defence suggest that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has submitted a fresh proposal recommending acquisition of 1–2 additional regiments of the S-400 system to bolster air defense coverage on both western and northern fronts.

Coverage Gaps and Regional Threats

The five existing S-400 regiments, deployed in Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Assam, and the northeast, provide layered air defense protection over critical regions. However, as both Pakistan and China upgrade their strike and missile capabilities, India sees the need to close the remaining gaps in radar coverage and interception response time—particularly over central India, southern assets, and eastern seaboard installations.

Pakistan’s recent deployment of Ra’ad-II cruise missiles, increased use of loitering munitions, and high-speed drones, combined with China's arsenal of ballistic and hypersonic systems, have collectively heightened India’s urgency to enhance its defensive architecture.

Geopolitical and Supply Considerations

Despite Western pressure following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has managed to continue receiving S-400 units due to a robust strategic partnership with Moscow. The final unit of the initial five is expected to be delivered by early 2026, following temporary delays attributed to the war in Ukraine. An order for additional units would likely come with extended delivery timelines, but Indian officials see long-term value in maintaining strategic deterrence, especially as regional hostilities intensify.

Additionally, India is considering diversification of air defense layers, integrating indigenous systems such as QR-SAM, Akash-NG, and XRSAM, but acknowledges that none yet match the long-range detection, targeting, and multi-threat tracking capabilities of the S-400. These systems are expected to work in a layered architecture with the S-400 at the top tier.

What’s Next?

If the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approves the proposal, India may finalize the extended order before the end of FY2025. Whether it is two more regiments or a single one, the additional S-400 units would significantly extend India’s air defense umbrella.

This potential expansion is not just about strengthening air defense—it’s a message to adversaries. After Operation Sindoor, the successful employment of the S-400 system has bolstered both public confidence and international credibility in India’s ability to pre-empt and neutralize aerial threats across two active borders.

As India sharpens its edge in modern warfare, the S-400 continues to be a cornerstone in its doctrine of deterrence through technological dominance.