Fourth S-400 Squadron To Arrive In India This Week, Deployment Likely Along Western Border
Fourth S-400 Squadron To Arrive In India This Week, Deployment Likely Along Western Border Reported By, Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 20:59 IST As per
Fourth S-400 Squadron To Arrive In India This Week, Deployment Likely Along Western Border Reported By, Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 20:59 IST As per sources, the fourth S-400 squadron will be deployed to counter threats along India’s western front. The three S-400 squadrons already delivered are currently operational and were used during Operation Sindoor to neutralise enemy aircraft and missiles. (File image/Reuters) The fourth squadron of the Russian-origin S-400 air defence missile system is set to arrive in India by the end of this week, sources told CNN-News18. The delivery, originally expected well before May 2026, was delayed due to multiple factors, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The fifth and final squadron under the 2018 contract for five S-400 units is further expected to be delivered by the end of this year.
As per sources, the fourth S-400 squadron will be deployed to counter threats along India’s western front. It will strengthen India’s capability to neutralise hostile aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and stand-off weapons in Rajasthan and adjoining areas. The original delivery schedule envisaged the induction of all five S-400 squadrons by 2023-24. However, the timeline was pushed back due to disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including sanctions-linked payment issues, insurance bottlenecks and supply-chain constraints. There were also concerns that escalating tensions in West Asia could further impact deliveries, though officials said the effect remained limited. The three S-400 squadrons already delivered are currently operational and were used during Operation Sindoor to neutralise enemy aircraft and missiles. Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had publicly stated that the Indian Air Force achieved what he described as the “largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill" during Operation Sindoor.
One of the S-400 batteries achieved this kill at a range of nearly 300 km. Following Op Sindoor, India is also planning to procure additional S-400 squadrons. A proposal for five more units has already been cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council and is currently awaiting further approval. The S-400 Triumf is a long-range surface-to-air missile system developed by Almaz-Antey. The system can track targets at ranges of up to 600 km and engage them at distances of up to 400 km using different classes of interceptor missiles. An S-400 regiment comprises multifunction engagement radars, long-range surveillance radars, command-and-control vehicles and multiple launcher units carrying four missile canisters each. The system is capable of simultaneously tracking hundreds of targets and engaging multiple aerial threats.
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