India plans to acquire five additional S-400 Triumf air defense squadrons from Russia, driven by the system’s operational success during the recent Indo-Pak conflict, notably Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The Russian-made S-400 proved decisive in intercepting over 500 Pakistani drones, missiles, and aircraft, significantly enhancing India’s aerial defense network. Currently, India has a contract for five squadrons signed in 2018, of which three are deployed, with the remaining two expected by 2026-27 after delays attributed to Russia’s military commitments in Ukraine. The Indian Defence Ministry has approved a Rs 10,000 crore procurement for additional missiles and emphasized a comprehensive annual maintenance contract with Russia planning an MRO facility in India. Prime Minister Modi is set to discuss this expansion along with broader defense cooperation during his December 2025 summit with President Putin, reinforcing India’s strategic defense posture amid a complex security environment on its western and northern fronts. This move underscores deepening India-Russia defense ties and complements India’s ongoing indigenous air defense development initiatives.