Russia's Almaz-Antey S-400 Triumf
India has officially asked Russia for more S-400 air defense systems. The request followed their role in stopping Pakistani drone and missile attacks earlier this month.
The S-400 played a key role in blocking retaliatory strikes. Its success convinced New Delhi to add more units to its arsenal.
The move highlights India’s reliance on Russian defense technology. It also raises questions about the shifting power balance in South Asia.
On 22 April 2025, terrorists killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu, and Kashmir. This attack triggered the brief but intense conflict.
India accused Pakistan-backed groups of carrying out the assault. On 7 May, it launched Operation Sindoor, hitting nine terror sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan’s Response to S-400
The clash demonstrated the S-400’s battlefield effectiveness. It also underscored India’s current strategic priorities. Russia’s Almaz-Antey developed the S-400 Triumf as one of the world’s top air defense systems.
It counters a wide range of aerial threats using integrated components that detect, track, and destroy targets.
The 91N6E Big Bird radar is the main component of the system. It is a phased-array system that can locate up to 300 targets up to 600 kilometers away.
This radar sends information to the 55K6E command post, which uses the 92N6E Grave Stone fire-control radar to plan a fight.
The system’s launchers, typically 5P85TE2, fire a variety of missiles designed to counter various threats. The 40N6E missile has a long range and can hit targets up to 185 kilometers above ground and 400 kilometers away.
This versatility makes it perfect for fighting high-flying planes or ballistic missiles. Indian authorities have refuted recent Pakistani assertions regarding the obliteration of India’s S-400 missile battery at Adampur.
Modi visited the Adampur Air Base
On 13 May 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Adampur Air Base and posed in front of the S-400 missile launchers, affirming their operational status.
Nonetheless, astute observers remarked that the radar component—essential to the system—was notably missing from official photographs.
Despite the government’s denial of any damage, the absence of the radar has incited speculation regarding its potential destruction in the alleged attack.
No independent verification has surfaced; however, the absence of radar prompts significant concerns regarding the system’s present preparedness.
With a range of 250 kilometers, the 48N6E3 is good at hitting planes and cruise missiles. The 9M96E and 9M96E2 missiles, on the other hand, are better at hitting fast, low-flying targets like drones.
Up to four missiles can fit in each launcher, and an S-400 battery can hit 36 targets at once.
The mobile system can be set up in as little as five minutes, allowing it to be quickly moved to a new location in dynamic conflicts.
Five S-400 units at a cost of $5.43 billion
In 2018, India purchased five S-400 units at a cost of $5.43 billion. In 2021, Punjab will receive the first of three S-400 units to defend against threats from China and Pakistan.
During Operation Sindoor, the S-400 is said to have stopped a wave of Pakistani drones and missiles that were launched on May 7 and 8 and were aimed at 15 Indian cities, including military hubs like Adampur and civilian areas.
Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, who is now retired, said, “Pakistan tried to attack 15 of our cities, but the S-400, which was bought in 2018 and delivered in 2021, saved them.”
It has a range of 400 kilometers and can detect planes, missiles, and drones. It can be fully set up in minutes.
The system, according to Indian officials, prevented air threats from damaging strategic assets.
“Our integrated air defense systems stood like a wall, and they could not breach it,” said Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, to stress the importance of the mixed air defense network. India has better technology than any other country, even if it’s a drone from Turkey.
The S-400’s radars likely provided real-time targeting information for its missiles and assisted Indian Air Force fighters, such as the Su-30MKI and Rafale, in locating and shooting down Pakistani planes or drones.
India’s defense got stronger thanks to this network-centric capability, where sensors and shooters work together.
But Pakistan doesn’t agree with India’s claims. Islamabad claimed that its JF-17 fighters, armed with PL-15 missiles made in China, destroyed an S-400 unit at Adampur.
Satellite Image of S-400
Pakistani military sources released a picture from space that they said showed a damaged S-400, but Indian officials said it was just propaganda.
People saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Adampur on May 12 as a direct response. There, he posed in front of a fully intact S-400.
India Today said, “The picture that stood out from PM Modi’s surprise visit to the airbase in Punjab was an intact S-400 air defense system in the background.”
India also denied that its hypersonic missiles did damage to the Adampur runway. According to government sources speaking to NDTV, Pakistan said its missiles hit the runway at the Air Force base in Adampur, Punjab, and shut down the base for a year.
Pakistan made a false statement. Since no third party has checked these claims, there is no proof of losses on either side.
The S-400 has revolutionized airspace protection for countries in the past. Russia first used it in 2007, and now countries like China, Turkey, and India are purchasing it. The discovery has made people around the world interested.
The U.S. Patriot PAC-3 is better at protecting against short-range ballistic missiles, but the S-400 can fight a wide range of threats, such as stealth aircraft and low-flying drones.
Chinese HQ-9 vs S-400
The S-400 has better range and target-tracking capabilities than China’s HQ-9, which Pakistan uses. However, we have not yet tested new technologies like hypersonic missiles or swarm drones to determine their effectiveness.
People have long been upset about India’s decision to station the S400 at Adampur, which is only 100 kilometers from Pakistan’s border.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office warned in 2022 that “India’s aggressive behavior and unchecked acquisition of weapons over the years threatened regional peace and stability.”
The spokesperson used the presence of the S-400 at the Adampur and Halwara airbases as an example.
Operation Sindoor was India’s first use of the S-400 in combat, but reports disagree on its effectiveness. Indian sources say that the system’s quick deployment and radar coverage messed up Pakistan’s plans for a strike, in which jets and missiles had to cancel missions.
India Today was told by defense sources that the recent escalation meant Pakistani jets and missiles had to cancel missions or change courses, which was a major setback for their attacks.
The early detection of Pakistani assets by the system’s 91N6E radar likely prevented attacks before they began. Its connection to India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) made it easier to see what was going on, which let it work with other defenses, like the Indian Akash missile and the Indo-Israeli MRSAM, without any problems.
Air Marshal Bharti
Air Marshal Bharti said, “The goal of airspace control is to make sure of coordination, avoid confusion, and reduce fratricide while improving joint air, sea, and land operations, as was seen during Operation Sindoor.”
Indian officials say this multi-layered defense stopped threats like PL-15 missiles made in China and Turkish drones.
India is putting more effort into modernizing its air defenses since the end of the conflict. India has already received three of the five S-400 systems it ordered, which indicates that it has faith in the platform’s abilities.
Defense sources told India Today that India has officially asked Russia for more S-400 air defense missile systems after they were used successfully in Operation Sindoor.
Reports say that Moscow has said “yes,” but it’s still not clear when the delivery will happen because of Western sanctions on Russia’s defense industry.
The U.S. and EU have imposed sanctions on Almaz-Antey since 2014, making it harder for the company to produce and export the S-400. NPO Almaz and Antey Corporation merged in 2002 to form the Moscow-based company.
In 2017, it generated $9.125 billion in defense sales, which makes it one of the largest defense contractors in the world.
India’s Air Defense
A new deal for the S-400 could change the military landscape in South Asia. India’s air defense, which is already very strong thanks to systems like the S-400, BrahMos, and Akash, would be even stronger against Pakistan’s old air forces and weapons supplied by China.
With a range of only 125 kilometers, Pakistan’s HQ-9 systems aren’t even close to the S-400 in terms of range or flexibility.
While a stronger Indian air defense might stop conventional attacks, it could also push Pakistan towards asymmetric strategies like low-cost drone swarms or hypersonic weapons.
China has its own S-400 units and may see India’s buildup as a response to its air forces in disputed areas like Ladakh.
A regional arms race could also start because of the deal. For example, Pakistan might try to get advanced systems like the SAMP/T from China or Turkey.
India’s strong military posture and public statements show that it is serious about addressing security concerns and working diplomatically to avoid a bigger conflict, according to a report in the Times of India about the ceasefire.
S-400’s role
The S-400’s role in Operation Sindoor shows how important integrated air defenses are becoming in modern warfare around the world. Countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia have tried similar systems to stop drones, missiles, and stealth aircraft.
But problems continue to occur. Due to Russia’s own systems, it is technically difficult for India to combine the S-400 with its wide range of weapons, which includes French Rafale jets and U.S. radars.
New threats like hypersonic missiles or swarms of self-driving drones could challenge the S-400’s effectiveness.
India’s broader modernization plan—including Rafale fighters, BrahMos missiles, and drones—aims to fill these gaps, but some persist.
“During the air battles that began on May 8, a multi-layered defense system was in use.” “The military is still on high alert,” said Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, who is responsible for military operations.
Conclusion
India has praised the S-400’s performance during Operation Sindoor. However, there is not enough data for a final judgement.
India claims to have intercepted dozens of drones and missiles. Pakistan denies these claims, and no independent data supports them.
The system’s integration with fighters and other defenses likely increased its effectiveness. It remains unclear if it faced low-tech drones or advanced missiles.
India’s push for more S-400s shows its intent to dominate its airspace. Regional instability and rapid technological advances keep air defense highly contested.
The question remains: will the S-400 shield endure? Or will rivals find new ways to bypass and weaken it?
References
- India Today—PM Modi visits Adampur airbase
https://bit.ly/3Qq3scL - NDTV—India denies Pakistani claims about Adampur
https://bit.ly/3w1N9fn - Defense News Today—India seeks more S-400s after Operation Sindoor
https://bit.ly/4cLrlRh - Almaz-Antey – S-400 Triumf system overview
https://bit.ly/3w5hK2Q - Times of India—India’s integrated air defence
https://bit.ly/3w2xDWd - Facebook – Pakistan Defense Forum
https://bit.ly/3QqdlGe - The Diplomat—China, India, and Pakistan: New arms race
https://bit.ly/4bEjdtR - Reuters—Sanctions hit Russian arms exports
https://bit.ly/3QlEAIc
