“India Eyes Rs 2.38 Lakh Crore Military Boost from Russia, Including Additional S-400s, Strike Drones, and Artillery”

India Approves Rs 2.38 Lakh Crore Defence Upgrade from Russia, Boosting Air and Army Capabilities

In the wake of Operation Sindoor, India has approved defence procurements worth Rs 2.38 lakh crore for the Army and Air Force, including the purchase of five additional S-400 Triumf missile systems from Russia. The Air Force will also receive remotely piloted strike aircraft and medium transport planes to replace the ageing AN-32 and IL-76 fleets, along with upgrades to Su-30 engine aggregates.

“The decision is based on the operational effectiveness of the S-400 systems, which played a key role in intercepting incoming threats,” a defence ministry official said. Each S-400 unit can engage hostile aircraft, missiles, and drones up to 400 km away, further strengthening India’s air defence along the China and Pakistan borders. India had signed a $5.43 billion deal in 2018 for five S-400 squadrons; three units have been delivered, while the remaining two were delayed due to the Ukraine conflict.

For the Army, approvals include an air defence tracked system, the Dhanush gun system, armour-piercing tank ammunition, a high-capacity radio relay system, and a runway-independent aerial surveillance system. The Dhanush guns are expected to enhance the Army’s long-range strike capability with improved accuracy across diverse terrains.

Defence Ministry officials noted that while approvals are in place, contract timelines are yet to be fixed. Typically, it takes around three years for proposals cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council to translate into operational contracts.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that 2025–26 has seen record approvals, with 55 proposals worth Rs 6.73 lakh crore accepted and contracts for 503 proposals totalling Rs 2.28 lakh crore signed, marking the highest ever in a financial year.