Elevating Indigenous Defense Manufacturing: India to forge domestic ecosystem with S-400 air defense squadrons

      In 2018, India made a deal with Russia to purchase five S-400 squadrons for about INR 40,291 crore ($5.43 billion) which includes 6,000 missiles. After the Indian Air Force (IAF) receives all five squadrons of the S-400 air defense system, plans will be made to start producing parts of this system in India. India has received three S-400 squadrons so far and they have reportedly been used to intercept airstrikes along the borders with China and Pakistan. The S-400 air defense system can stop any kind of air attack from a range of 2 km to 400 km. With this system in place, any air strike from China or Pakistan can be fully prevented.

The next two S-400 air defense missile squadrons will be arriving in India from Russia by third-quarter 2026, according to local media reports. Specifically, defense sources mentioned by India Today indicate that these final squadrons will arrive by August 2026. This delivery will significantly enhance India’s air defiance system.

The S-400 squadrons will be stationed at various locations throughout India and, if needed, two maintenance centres might be set up in the country. In the second phase, steps will be taken to begin producing essential parts for the system in India. To achieve this, the Russian company will team up with an Indian company and offer technical support. They will also provide the necessary technology. The project is expected to be completed by 2028.

A top source in India’s defense industry has revealed that an agreement is nearly complete between an Indian company and Russian manufacturer Almaz-Antey State Corporation to handle the maintenance and repairs of S-400 air defense systems in India, according to information made available by Russian media outlet Sputnik. This will be a partnership between Indian and Russian companies. The Russian manufacturer will offer technical support to the Indian partner and assist in setting up the required infrastructure. 

The development of the S-400 system began in the late 1980s and was announced by the Russian Air Force in January 1993.On 12 February 1999 successful tests were reported at Kapustin Yar in Astrakhan, and the S-400 was scheduled for deployment by the Russian army in 2001.Alexander Lemansky of Almaz-Antey was the Chief Engineer on the S-400 project.