New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Friday cleared procurement proposals worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore including plans to procure five new S-400 Triumf air defence systems from Russia, besides moving ahead with replacement of the AN 32 and IL 76 transport aircraft and new remotely piloted strike aircraft.
As ThePrint exclusively reported in November last year, the IAF was planning to procure five new S-400 systems based on its performance during Ops Sindoor.
Sources in the defence and security establishment said that the deal when signed would not come under any American sanctions because this is a follow-on order of the 2018 contract that had already got a waiver.
India had in 2018 signed a $5.3 billion deal to procure 5 S-400 air systems, three of which have been delivered till now. The 4th and 5th were delayed due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
However, as ThePrint reported Friday, the 4th system for India has been manufactured in Russia and is undergoing delivery trials and is expected to reach Indian shores by May/June this year.
Sources explained that once all 10 air defence systems are in place along with India’s own planned Project Khusha, the airspace around the country will become almost impregnable by drones, 4.5 Gen plus fighters, and missiles.
They explained that the S-400 had performed exceptionally well during Operation Sindoor and was able to keep Pakistani aircraft at bay, including the J-10s.
Not only did the S-400 record its longest hit ever during the 88-hour conflict between India and Pakistan, the sources said the ability of the system to shoot and scoot in a short span of time, which allows it to evade enemy fire, was also proved.
On 7 May 2025, the IAF took down a JF-17 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force well within the Pakistani airspace and forced their fighters to draw back.
However, the fighters did manage to enter into a missing coverage area for a limited period to launch their munitions.
The sources explained that during Operation Sindoor, two S-400 systems were deployed along the western theatre and there was a small gap.
Giving details of the Acceptance of Necessity (AON), the first major step in the procurement process, the defence ministry said that for the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the Air Defence Tracked System, Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition, High Capacity Radio Relay, Dhanush Gun System and Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System.
The Air Defence Tracked System will provide real time air defence control and reporting capability, while the High Capacity Radio Relay will provide reliable and fail proof communication, the ministry said.
The Dhanush gun system will enhance the artillery’s capabilities to engage targets at longer ranges in all terrains with enhanced lethality and accuracy, the ministry said, adding that the Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System will provide surveillance capabilities to Army units, with the Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition enhancing the lethality of anti-tank ammunition.
“For the Indian Air Force, proposals were cleared for the procurement of Medium Transport Aircraft, S-400 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System, Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft and overhaul of Su-30 aero engine aggregates. The induction of Medium Transport Aircraft by replacing the transport fleet of AN32 and IL76 will meet the strategic, tactical and operational airlift requirements of the services,” the defence ministry said.
Giving further details, the defence ministry said that the S-400 system will counter enemy long-range air vectors targeting vital areas, while the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft will enable Offensive Counter and Coordinated Air Operations, also providing stealth intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities.
The overhaul of Su-30 aero engine and its aggregates will increase the service life of the aircraft and fulfil the operational requirement of the Air Force, the defence ministry said.
In the financial year 2025-26, AoN for 55 proposals amounting to Rs 6.73 lakh crore has been accorded by the DAC. Moreover, capital procurement contracts have been signed for 503 proposals amounting to Rs 2.28 lakh crore in the current fiscal year. Both the quantum of AoN given and capital contracts signed, so far, have been the highest in any given financial year.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: India’s fourth S-400 system ready in Russia, undergoing final testing before delivery