In a major move to fortify its aerial umbrella, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) on February 13, 2026, for the procurement of 288 S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia. The deal, estimated at ₹10,000 crore, is designed to replenish India’s interceptor inventory following its intensive deployment during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
The acquisition will be executed via the Fast Track Procedure (FTP) to ensure the Indian Air Force (IAF) maintains full operational readiness as regional tensions evolve.
Breaking Down the Missile Order
The procurement is split between different engagement envelopes to maintain the S-400’s famous “layered” defense capability.
| Missile Type | Quantity | Strategic Role |
| Short-Range Missiles | 120 | Targeted defense against drones and low-flying cruise missiles. |
| Long-Range Missiles | 168 | Deep-strike interception of high-altitude jets and AWACS. |
| Total Order | 288 | Comprehensive inventory replenishment. |
Key Capabilities:
- Multi-Range Interception: The inventory includes missiles with ranges of 40 km, 150 km, 200 km, and 400 km.
- Combat Proven: The decision follows the S-400’s success during Operation Sindoor, where it reportedly neutralized enemy fighter jets and intelligence aircraft at ranges exceeding 300 km.
- Drone Neutralization: A portion of the order is specifically tuned to counter the growing threat of kamikaze and armed UAV swarms.
The “Sudarshan Chakra” Delivery Timeline
While this new order focuses on the missiles themselves, the delivery of the actual S-400 system hardware (squadrons) is also reaching its final phase. Russia has reaffirmed a strict timeline for the remaining units of the original 2018 contract.
- Squadron 4: Expected arrival in June 2026.
- Squadron 5 (Final): Expected arrival in November 2026.
Once these are inducted, India will have five complete S-400 squadrons providing a contiguous “shield” across its northern and western borders.
A Broader ₹3.6 Lakh Crore Defence Leap
The S-400 missile order was part of a massive clearing by the DAC that approved defense proposals totaling approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore. Other landmark approvals include:
- 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA): Approval for additional Rafale jets, with 90 to be manufactured in India.
- Maritime Surveillance: Additional P-8I aircraft for the Indian Navy.
- Indigenous Tech: Acceptance for Vibhav anti-tank mines and overhauling of T-72 and BMP-II fleets for the Army.
“This replenishment is a vital step in ensuring that our most advanced air defense assets are not just standing on guard, but are fully loaded and ready for high-intensity conflict.” — Senior Defence Official.
