India is poised to further strengthen its air defense capability. Many major defense deals for the three services are expected to be approved in an important Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting of the defense ministry to be held today. According to sources, the meeting may approve the purchase of additional S-400 air defense systems for the Indian Air Force. The acquisition of medium-range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) systems for both the Air Force and Navy is also expected to be approved. The meeting will also discuss the purchase of new rocket launchers for the army and four landing platform docks (LPDs) for the navy. The deal is estimated to be worth around R33,000 crore. The arrival of these LPD ships will greatly enhance India’s sea power and amphibious warfare. New S-400 missiles will be procured for Sudarshan Chakra. According to sources, the Indian Air Force has prepared a proposal to purchase new missiles worth around Rs 10,000 crore from Russia. The purchase will be for the S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defense system, which recently played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. “Discussions are on with the Russian side. The Indian Air Force wants to purchase a large number of missiles for this system to strengthen its long-range strike capability and repel enemy attacks,” sources said. The proposal is expected to be considered by the defense ministry in today’s meeting. How ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ became a game changer The Indian Air Force named the S-400 system ‘Sudarshan Chakra’. The name is inspired by the divine weapon of Lord Vishnu, which symbolizes speed, accuracy and deadly lethality. This Russian defense system is one of the most high-tech long-range surface-to-air missile systems in the world. It can destroy enemy fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles at a distance of up to 400 kilometers, while its radar detection range is up to 600 kilometers. During Operation Sindoor, the system played a key role in shooting down five to six Pakistani fighter jets and one spy plane 300 km inside the Pakistani border. Air Force officials described it as a “game changer” that completely derailed Pakistan’s military strategy. India signed a $5 billion deal in 2018. In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion (about ₹40,000 crore) deal with Russia to buy five S-400 squadrons. India has received three squadrons so far. One is deployed in the Pathankot area, monitoring the Punjab-Jammu Kashmir sector; The second is active in the Rajasthan-Gujarat corridor; And the third was deployed in the Siliguri corridor, which protects the air borders of the northeast. Delivery of the remaining two squadrons is expected to be completed by next year. However, it was delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Preparation for new deal with Russia According to sources, India has started discussions with Russia on the possibility of additional batches of S-400 and S-500 systems in the future. The two countries are also working on new air-to-air missiles and advanced versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The formal announcement of these defense projects is expected to take place during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India scheduled in December. There will be a major increase in the capabilities of the three armed forces. Proposals from the Air Force, Army and Navy will be included in the DAC meeting. The military may get new multi-barrel rocket launchers. In addition, the Navy will get four new Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), which will be critical for maritime operations and disaster relief operations. Approval of all these proposals will lead to a historic increase in India’s strategic firepower and strategic reach. According to defense experts, if the S-400 missile deal and other purchase proposals are approved in the DAC meeting today, it will be a milestone in India’s defense policy. S-400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ is already a cause of fear for the enemy, and with the arrival of its new group, India’s air borders will become even more impenetrable.
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