India may receive fifth S-400 missile system from Russia in early 2027

India could receive its fifth and final S-400 Triumf air defence system from Russia in early 2027, completing a major defence procurement agreement signed between the two countries in 2018.

The expected delivery comes as New Delhi continues efforts to strengthen its air defence network against threats from hostile aircraft, drones and missiles. India has already received four of the five S-400 systems ordered from Moscow, with the fourth arriving in May-June 2026.

The final system's delivery has been delayed amid disruptions affecting Russia's defence production and supply chains following the war in Ukraine. Although earlier estimates had indicated that the fifth unit could arrive by November 2026, the latest assessment suggests that delivery may extend into the beginning of next year.

The development is significant for the Indian Air Force, which has been expanding its long-range air defence capabilities while examining additional systems to counter emerging aerial threats.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹

India signed an agreement worth approximately $5.43 billion with Russia in October 2018 for five S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems.

The acquisition was intended to strengthen India's ability to detect, track and intercept aerial threats over long distances, particularly along its sensitive borders.

The S-400 system combines advanced radar, command-and-control equipment and different types of interceptor missiles to engage multiple airborne targets.

The system is designed to counter fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and certain ballistic missile threats, making it an important component of India's layered air defence architecture.

With four units already delivered, the arrival of the fifth would complete the original procurement contract and expand the Air Force's capacity to protect strategically important areas.

𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗥𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮

According to officials familiar with the development, an Indian pre-dispatch team is expected to visit Russia in December to assess preparations for the final delivery.

Components of the fifth S-400 system are likely to begin arriving in January, with the complete delivery expected during January-February 2027.

Of the four systems currently in Indian service, three are deployed along the western front and one in the eastern theatre, providing air defence coverage across strategically important regions.

The S-400 systems attracted attention during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when India used its air defence network against aerial threats from Pakistan.

Indian accounts of the operation credited an S-400 missile with targeting a Pakistani airborne early warning aircraft at a distance of approximately 300 kilometres. Pakistan also reportedly attempted to target Indian S-400 deployments at Adampur and Bhuj using attack drones.

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦-𝟰𝟬𝟬 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀

Beyond completing the original agreement, India is considering the procurement of five additional S-400 systems to expand its long-range air defence network.

The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for the proposed acquisition in March 2026, marking an initial step in the procurement process.

However, no contract has been signed for the additional systems, and the proposal remains subject to further negotiations and approvals.

The proposed expansion reflects the increasing importance of integrated air defence systems as military forces confront a wider range of aerial threats, including unmanned aircraft and long-range missiles.

𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

India is also evaluating Russia's Pantsir short-range air defence system, which is designed to intercept drones, helicopters, cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft.

Officials are examining a proposal involving 52 Pantsir systems under a buy-and-make arrangement, with 13 units to be imported from Russia and the remaining 39 manufactured in India.

No agreement has been finalised for the proposed procurement.

Unlike the S-400, which is intended to engage targets at considerable distances, Pantsir provides close-range protection against threats that penetrate outer defensive layers.

The system could be deployed to protect armoured formations, military installations and larger air defence platforms, including S-400 units, against drone swarms and other low-altitude threats.

Together, the proposed acquisitions would strengthen India's layered air defence network, combining long-range interception capabilities with shorter-range protection against increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.