India to Receive Final S-400 Missile Systems from Russia by 2026

India is set to receive the remaining units of the advanced S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems from Russia by 2025-2026, reaffirmed Russian Deputy Chief of Mission in India, Roman Babushkin. The official confirmed that the delivery of the remaining two squadrons is progressing as planned and will be completed within the next couple of years, sticking to the original schedule of the landmark defence deal signed in 2018.

The $5.43 billion agreement between India and Russia includes the delivery of five squadrons of the S-400, a cutting-edge long-range surface-to-air missile system known for its ability to engage multiple targets — including aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — at distances up to 400 km. So far, India has already received three of the five squadrons, which are now operational with the Indian Air Force and deployed at key strategic locations.

Roman Babushkin emphasized that the S-400 system has proven its capability during recent military tensions between India and Pakistan, suggesting that it performed with high efficiency when the regional situation grew tense. He noted this as an example of the system’s real-time reliability and importance in enhancing India’s air defence posture.

Beyond the S-400, Babushkin also hinted at the growing scope of defence cooperation between the two long-standing allies. He underlined Russia’s willingness to expand collaboration in air defence and, significantly, in counter-drone technology — an area gaining attention due to the increasing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

India has witnessed a rise in drone-related incidents, particularly along its western border, including during the skirmishes with Pakistan. In this context, Babushkin pointed out that Russia has already been facing similar drone threats for several years and continues to upgrade its anti-drone systems. He added that sharing expertise and possibly co-developing such systems could be an area of mutual benefit under the ongoing India-Russia defence dialogue.

“Our systems are being modernised constantly. This is a joint area of interest where we can deepen cooperation,” he said, indicating that anti-drone systems are already being discussed between the two countries.

Additionally, Babushkin mentioned that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may soon visit India, although the exact dates for the visit have not been finalized. The visit is expected to further strengthen diplomatic and strategic engagement between Moscow and New Delhi, particularly in defence and global security matters.

India and Russia continue to nurture their decades-old defence partnership, which has historically included cooperation in fighter aircraft, tanks, submarines, and missile systems. With new challenges emerging in modern warfare, both countries appear keen to align their defence cooperation with changing realities, especially in areas like airspace defence and unmanned threats.

The final delivery of the S-400 system and the potential for expanded collaboration in anti-drone technologies mark another step forward in the strategic trust and defence synergy between the two nations.