India to Receive Two Remaining S-400 Units from Russia by 2025-26

New Delhi: Russia has confirmed it will deliver the remaining two S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India by 2025-26, completing the landmark defence deal signed in 2018. The announcement comes amid renewed focus on India’s air defence capabilities following the use of the S-400 during Operation Sindoor, the country’s recent military response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Roman Babushkin, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission in India, said the S-400 performed “very efficiently” during the military engagement between India and Pakistan. Speaking to PTI Videos, Babushkin also signaled a possible expansion of Indo-Russian cooperation in air defence and anti-drone technologies.

“We heard that the S-400 performed very efficiently during the recent clashes between India and Pakistan,” Babushkin said. “This is one of the most promising areas of our partnership in defence, given the evolving security situations both in Europe and in this region.”

India had signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for the acquisition of five squadrons of the S-400 system. While three have already been delivered, the final two are now expected to arrive within the next two years.

Highlighting Russia’s continued commitment to defence cooperation with India, Babushkin added, “We are open to promoting this partnership and expanding dialogue on air defence systems.”

The S-400 Triumf, considered one of the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile systems in the world, has significantly enhanced India’s air defence network, and its recent deployment during Operation Sindoor further demonstrated its operational effectiveness.