Chorus For S-500 Grows in India Amid S-400's Stellar Show in Operation Sindoor
09:38 15.05.2025 (Updated: 11:10 15.05.2025)
© Photo : Russian Ministry of Defence
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India deployed the S-400 during its counter-terror mission against Pakistan, codenamed Operation Sindoor, earning acclaim from all quarters after it successfully eliminated a range of aerial threats emanating from Pakistan.
After S-400 air defence system's stellar show during Operation Sindoor, particularly in neutralising Pakistan's Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), and ballistic missiles like the Fatah-1, the chorus for the acquisition of the S-500 has grown in India, both among its public and aviation pundits.
It is worth noting that India currently operates three units of the S-400 with two more set to arrive from Russia by next year.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to troops at the Adampur airbase—claimed by Pakistan to have been destroyed—praised the S-400's prowess.
"In Operation Sindoor, along with manpower, the coordination of machines has also been amazing. Whether it is India's traditional air defence systems, which have seen many wars, or our Made in India platforms like Akash, modern and strong defence systems like S-400 have given them unprecedented strength. A strong security shield has become the identity of India," Modi said.
However, given that the S-500's response time to aerial threats is just 3-4 seconds compared to 7-10 seconds for the S-400, multiple social media handles in India have backed the government to acquire the latest platform from Russia.
Despite India's interest in the S-500, the platform is not available for sale abroad and lacks an export version, reveals Igor Korotchenko, a military analyst, and the editor in chief of Russia's National Defence magazine, and the Director of the Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) in Moscow.
"Any negotiations regarding the S-500 would primarily involve personal agreements between President Vladimir Putin and Modi. At present, India does not require the S-500, as, in any potential military conflict, the immediate threat comes from medium-range ballistic missiles. The S-400, with its relevant surface-to-air missiles, is more than capable of intercepting such threats," Korotchenko told Sputnik India.
Therefore, discussions about the S-500 are not relevant at this time, as it is a strategic missile defence system, the defence analyst underlined.
Notably, there are no comparable systems in the West as the S-500 can intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles in low Earth orbit, and it could potentially be used as anti-satellite weaponry, he explained.
For the uninitiated, the S-400 became a hero of sorts in the Indian media and the country's larger populace, as the anti-aircraft missile platform appeared to have saved several lives during Operation Sindoor by neutralising Pakistan's swarm drones and missiles, something the American Patriot system had failed to do in Saudi Arabia a couple of years of ago.
"First, we must note that the Patriot system, particularly during the attacks on Saudi Arabia, demonstrated some serious flaws. Despite being hit by relatively low-cost attack methods, several oil refineries and terminals were destroyed. In its latest version, PAC-3, the Patriot failed to perform as expected. The system also showed vulnerabilities during the conflict surrounding Ukraine, with Russian systems effectively destroying Ukrainian Patriot units," Korotchenko highlighted.
By opting for the S-400, India made a wise choice for a highly advanced, multifunctional air defence system. The S-400 is objectively the best long-range air defence system available on the global arms market, with enhanced anti-missile capabilities. The S-400 can effectively counter almost the entire spectrum of aerospace threats, except for intercontinental ballistic missiles. Given the conflicts in the region, India does not face such a threat, and the S-400 is more than adequate for intercepting medium-range ballistic missiles, he asserted.
The S-400 is capable of targeting not just individual threats, but also groups of dispersed targets in the air. It can engage targets up to 30 kilometres in altitude, with a range of 400 kilometres. Therefore, India's military strategy, especially in a conflict with Pakistan, relies heavily on the S-400, and the system performed brilliantly, the military commentator reckoned.
It is no coincidence that Prime Minister Modi posed with the S-400, highlighting its superior capabilities, while the media in the country has even reported that New Delhi is looking to sign new contracts for additional systems.
"India's first contract included five S-400 regimental systems, and there's a strong possibility that India will purchase 3 to 5 more regimental sets, further strengthening its air defence capabilities to around 8 to 10 regiments. The S-400 forms the backbone of India's aerospace shield and is the most modern, advanced, and effective system available," Korotchenko underscored.
The S-400 is capable of targeting and destroying jamming aircraft. Its algorithms can effectively identify and eliminate electronic warfare planes, such as airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft. Additionally, the S-400's flexibility allows it to use a mixed missile payload, including long-range, medium-range, and short-range surface-to-air missiles, depending on the targets, he mentioned.
This system automatically selects the appropriate missile type for the task at hand, which is a crucial feature. Moreover, it can rapidly acquire and track multiple targets simultaneously, ensuring that it can defend against complex threats, the observer stated.
Interestingly, Pakistan ran an intense propaganda campaign to undermine the capabilities of the S-400, claiming that it had destroyed the widely acclaimed system in Adampur, something that eventually turned out to be false.
"The S-400, enhanced with elements of artificial intelligence, allows the Indian military to swiftly assess the nature of Pakistani strikes and apply the most effective countermeasures. Pakistan has recognised the capabilities of the S-400, which is why such disinformation campaigns were initiated. The system performed exceptionally in countering the targets raised by Pakistan. India gained a significant advantage in this regard," Korotchenko affirmed.
Moreover, the S-400 boasts high resistance to interference. Nearly all modern anti-jamming techniques are integrated into its design. This makes the system particularly effective, especially given its unique capability to target and destroy jamming aircraft, a feature that few modern air defence systems can match, he remarked.
This system will provide India with a reliable air and space defence infrastructure for decades to come, ensuring India's role as a global power in the 21st century. The S-400, and the broader aerospace defence system, will be remembered as a monumental achievement under Modi's leadership, the aviation pundit argued.
Korotchenko thinks that India should also seek Russian help in inducting a stealth fighter in its air force fleet.
The conflict with Pakistan has once again highlighted the need for India to have fifth-generation fighter jets in its air force. Pakistan actively deployed the latest Chinese-made fighter aircraft. This makes it critically important for India to proceed with its fifth-generation fighter programme, he commented.
"In this context, Russia is offering India a solution based on the Su-57, with a two-seat version tailored specifically for India. This fighter would include long-range air-to-air missiles and stealth capabilities, fully integrating into India's Make in India programme. India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) could play a key role in producing this Russian-Indian version of the fifth-generation fighter. As the conflict with Pakistan has shown, this programme is becoming more urgent. India has the opportunity to fast-track the development of its fifth-generation fighter jets, ensuring that the country can maintain its technological edge in air combat," the expert concluded.
