India to buy 5 more Russian S-400s, Op Sindoor hero, amid Middle East conflict

India is moving swiftly to expand its own shield by planning to procure five additional squadrons of the Russian S-400 Sudarshan air defence missile system. The move follows the S-400 system’s impressive performance during Operation Sindoor last year, when it was credited with intercepting and bringing down multiple Pakistani aircraft.

The move also comes as the Middle East has been in strife since February 28 due to US-Israeli strikes against Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and retaliatory attacks by Iran across the region.

Defence Ministry sources said a proposal from the Indian Air Force to acquire five more S-400 squadrons will soon be taken up for clearance. The additional units are expected to be deployed along both the eastern and western fronts to strengthen India’s layered air defence network.

India currently operates three S-400 systems, with two more scheduled for induction this year under the 2018 agreement with Russia for five squadrons.

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