Online Reporter
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retired)
India is steadily reinforcing its layered air defence architecture, drawing lessons from recent conflicts that demonstrate how air defence systems can decisively shape battlefield outcomes.
Last week, India’s Ministry of Defence signed a ₹4.5‑billion (US$46 million) contract with Russia’s state‑owned Rosoboronexport for the procurement of the 2K22 Tunguska air defence missile system for the Indian Army. These systems will significantly enhance India’s multi‑layered air defence capability against aerial threats, including aircraft, drones and cruise missiles. The agreement also reinforces the long‑standing Indo‑Russian strategic defence partnership.
Meanwhile, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved a proposal to procure five additional S‑400 long‑range surface‑to‑air missile (SAM) systems for the Indian Air Force from Russia. This decision comes months after the S‑400 demonstrated outstanding operational effectiveness during Operation Sindoor, the brief but intense military standoff between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
Air Defence Systems in Modern Wars
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have once again highlighted the growing importance of potent Air Defence (AD) systems. These critical, multi‑layered and technology‑driven frameworks play a decisive role in modern warfare by protecting key assets, denying enemy air superiority and enabling both defensive and offensive operations. Modern AD has evolved from a purely defensive construct into a strategic enabler.
Under a layered defence strategy, modern AD systems — such as the S‑400, Patriot and Iron Dome — combine long‑, medium‑ and short‑range radars and interceptors to protect cities, command‑and‑control centres, military installations and strategic infrastructure against diverse threats. Beyond combat aircraft and missiles, AD systems are now essential for detecting and neutralising small, low‑cost drones designed to saturate, deceive and overwhelm defences.
A capable AD system can impose air denial, even when operated by a technologically inferior air force, forcing enemy aircraft to operate at safer standoff distances and limiting their ability to support ground forces. Advanced systems like the S‑400 compel adversaries to rely heavily on high‑value platforms such as Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft and flight refuellers, which themselves become vulnerable targets.
Consequently, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) has become an essential mission in air operations. Modern AD systems must also address emerging threats, including high‑speed ballistic missiles, ultra‑low‑flying cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons. Integration with Electronic Warfare (EW) provides “soft‑kill” options, allowing systems to jam or deceive enemy sensors and guidance systems without physical interception.
Mobility is equally critical. “Shoot‑and‑scoot” capability enables AD units to relocate rapidly after engagements, improving survivability. A robust AD shield serves as a powerful deterrent, strengthening a nation’s position during military crises and diplomatic negotiations alike.
Today’s AD operates within an Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) ecosystem — a true “system of systems” — linking radars, satellites, command networks, weapon platforms and interceptors to provide a real‑time, comprehensive air picture. Future developments increasingly focus on Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) to counter the rising cost of interceptor missiles, with the potential to reduce per‑engagement costs to as little as US$2 000.
Countries are also investing in indigenous AD capabilities — India’s Akash and future Kusha systems among them — to reduce import dependence and enable scalable production. In contemporary conflict, the ability to protect assets and deny airspace often determines which side can fight, operate and ultimately prevail.
A Highly Efficient Solution: Tunguska
The 2K22 Tunguska (NATO designation: SA‑19 Grison) is a Soviet‑era, tracked, self‑propelled short‑range air defence (SHORAD) system. It uniquely combines surface‑to‑air missiles and rapid‑fire guns on a single platform. The system employs 9M311 missiles with a range of up to 10 km, alongside twin 30‑mm autocannons capable of firing nearly 5 000 rounds per minute, effective against air targets from 200 metres to 4 km.
A single armoured chassis integrates radar, weapons and fire control, offering comprehensive 360‑degree protection. Its surveillance radar can detect threats up to 18 km away, while a digital fire‑control system ensures high accuracy.
The missile component can engage targets at altitudes of up to 3 500 metres, bridging the gap between man‑portable systems and long‑range batteries. Mounted on an all‑terrain tracked platform, Tunguska can accompany tanks and infantry fighting vehicles across rugged terrain and in adverse weather. Backup optical tracking allows engagement even under heavy enemy electronic jamming.
Designed to protect infantry and armoured formations on the move, Tunguska counters low‑flying aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles, precision‑guided munitions and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As modern warfare increasingly relies on drone swarms, Tunguska’s gun‑missile combination provides India with a cost‑effective and highly efficient solution against saturation attacks, forming a vital shield for mobile army columns.
Potent Deterrent: The S‑400 ‘Sudarshan Chakra’
The S‑400 Triumf is a Russian mobile long‑range SAM system developed by NPO Almaz as an evolution of the S‑300 family. Operational with Russian forces since 2007, it is complemented by the newer S‑500 system.
The S‑400 integrates four radars and multiple missile types covering different engagement ranges. Its maximum detection range extends to 600km, with engagement ranges reaching 400km. India’s original 2018 contract for five systems was valued at US$5.43 billion, including reserve missiles.
All sub‑units are data‑linked through a centralised command‑and‑control network with built‑in redundancy. A single system can control up to 72 launchers, carrying a maximum of 384 missiles, while simultaneously engaging 36 targets. Directed‑fragmentation warheads improve kill probability against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic targets, and the system can engage targets travelling at speeds up to Mach 14.
Highly mobile, the system can move at 60 km/h on roads and 25 km/h cross‑country, becoming fully operational within five minutes. Service life exceeds 20 years, with overhaul intervals of 10,000 hours.
The S‑400 has been deployed by Russia around Moscow, used in Syria and extensively employed during the Ukraine conflict, although it has also been targeted by Western‑supplied missiles. Operators include Belarus, China, Turkey and Algeria, with several other countries expressing interest.
As of March 2026, Russia has delivered three of five S‑400 systems to India. The fourth is undergoing final trials and is expected by May 2026, while the fifth is scheduled for November 2026 under an accelerated delivery plan.
Operational Validation and Strategic Impact
India proceeded with S‑400 induction despite the threat of US sanctions under CAATSA. Open sources suggest deployments in Punjab, Gujarat and eastern India. The systems have been rigorously tested during Indian military exercises.
At the 16th LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru in August 2025, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh described the S‑400 as a potent deterrent, crediting it—alongside the BrahMos cruise missile — as a game changer in Operation Sindoor. During the conflict, Indian S‑400s reportedly downed nearly five Pakistani fighter aircraft and achieved a record engagement against a high‑value airborne asset at approximately 314 km.
Pakistani claims of neutralising S‑400 systems at Adampur and Bhuj were later disproven. Post‑ceasefire visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to these bases reaffirmed their operational status.
Other systems earning acclaim included the Akash AD system, DRDO’s 4D counter‑drone system, BrahMos missiles and the French Scalp cruise missile.
Why India Needs More S‑400s
India’s strategic geography justifies expansion. With a land area of 3.287 million sq km, land borders of 15 200km, and a coastline exceeding 7 500km, India faces persistent threats from two nuclear‑armed neighbours. By comparison, Israel — at only 20 770 sq km — operates around ten Iron Dome batteries.
Procuring additional S‑400 systems is therefore operationally sound. Over time, India may require around 20 such systems, a requirement that will increasingly be met by the indigenous Kusha programme.
Expanding Avenues
Aerospace dominance now defines modern warfare. This reality aligns closely with the depth of India–Russia defence ties, with nearly 60 percent of Indian Air Force platforms of Russian origin. From the MiG‑21 era to the Su‑30MKI–BrahMos combination and now the S‑400, this partnership has consistently delivered operational value.
Recent conflicts reinforce a central lesson: the side with superior air defence holds decisive advantage—militarily, strategically and diplomatically.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retired) is an Indian Air Force veteran fighter test pilot and former Director‑General of the Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi.
