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Air Defense System: India is busy strengthening its air defense system, so that any kind of aerial threat can be neutralized. The days of ground combat in modern warfare are almost over. Now the era of air and naval warfare has come. In such a situation, every country is busy in acquiring advanced versions of drones and missiles. Therefore, the stronger the air defense system of a country, the more it will have the upper hand in conflict times. Keeping in view the possible nature of future war, America is developing the Golden Dome at a cost of 175 billion dollars.
Air Defense System: Today, every country in the world is trying to secure its airspace. It is necessary to have an air defense system to neutralize the aerial threat or neutralize the air attack, so that any kind of threat can be dealt with. India is also not untouched by this. During Operation Sindoor, the indigenous as well as S-400 air defense system had foiled every enemy attack. Considering the capability of S-400, India has decided to purchase its additional squadron. India has borders with countries like China on one side and Pakistan on the other, hence New Delhi is preparing to deal with a war-like situation on two fronts simultaneously. In view of this, it is planning to purchase an air defense system more powerful than S-400. India is considering purchasing S-500 air defense system from friendly country Russia. However, no deal has been reached with Moscow in this regard yet. Let us tell you that S-500 is an updated version of S-400 which is capable of dealing with new and more advanced threats. It is also said to be useful in space war. S-500 is more powerful and advanced than air defense shields like THAAD and Iron Dome.
India’s interest in purchasing Russia’s super-advanced air defense system S-500 Triumfator-M (Prometheus) has increased rapidly, but neither any formal decision nor any final agreement has been taken on its purchase till December 2025. During ‘Operation Vermillion’ in May 2025, the S-400 air defense system of the Indian Air Force effectively neutralized the threats from Pakistan and PoK. That operation made it clear that long-range air defense systems would be the backbone of India’s security strategy in a future ‘multi-domain’ war. After the success of S-400, India has taken steps towards purchasing additional S-400 squadrons. Along with this, the focus is now on its successor, the S-500, which Russia describes as the world’s most advanced anti-missile system. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recently indicated that there would be detailed talks on S-400 expansion and related defense agreements during Putin’s visit, raising expectations that the discussions would be serious.
S-500 is special for these 5 reasons
- Ability to intercept hypersonic missiles
- Intercepting ballistic targets in near-space (up to 100–200 km altitude)
- Ability to kill 10 targets simultaneously
- Use of 77N6 hit-to-kill interceptors
- Strong protection against space-based threats, satellites and multi-vector attacks
India is planning to increase the squadron of S-400 air defense system. (Photo: Reuters)
What is the estimated price of S-500?
The S-500 air defense system has not yet been launched in the open market, but according to an estimate, the price of one unit of S-500 can be around 2.5 billion dollars i.e. ₹ 22459 crores. The S-500 is considered to be the world’s first air-defense system that combines anti-space and anti-hypersonic capabilities. If India achieves this, it can become the first foreign buyer of this system, which will take the trust and strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow to a new level. S-500 will be the main issue in the meeting between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. Other projects like Su-57 fighter jet are also expected to be included in the agenda.
Why is defense deal still a distant dream?
Despite increasing Indian interest, the path to purchasing S-500 is not easy due to many reasons and any kind of deal on it seems far-fetched at the moment. S-500 is a highly sensitive system associated with Russia’s nuclear command and strategic defense structure. Russia is taking utmost care in opening it for export. It is possible that India may have to wait for many years for this. Apart from this, the Donald Trump administration has continuously imposed sanctions on countries purchasing arms from Russia. India had got CAATSA exemption on the purchase of S-400, but now it is not clear whether the same exemption will be available on the new deal or not. New Delhi will have to balance with both Moscow and Washington with this purchase. On the other hand, India itself is developing long-range air-defense systems. DRDO’s Project Kush aims to make S-400 and S-500-like capabilities available domestically in the coming years. Therefore, India does not want to take any decision in haste.
