New Delhi: The Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) on Friday approved the value of enhancing military capabilities $2.38 million crore to supply the country’s armed forces with more Russian-origin S-400 Triumf air defense systems, remotely piloted attack aircraft, transport aircraft, artillery guns and tank ammunition, the Defense Ministry said.
The proposed acquisition of five units of the S-400 missile system, which destroyed Pakistani targets during Operation Sindoor last May, will significantly enhance the IAF’s ability to detect, identify, track and engage enemy fighters, missiles and drones. Remotely piloted attack aircraft, which are essential to modernize the air force, will enable it to carry out precise strikes without risking personnel lives.
The Ministry of Defense said: “The S-400 system will counter enemy long-range air carriers targeting vital areas, while it will enable remotely piloted attack aircraft to conduct offensive and coordinated counter-air operations.” Remotely piloted attack aircraft, or unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), will also enhance the IAF’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. HT has learned that four squadrons of remotely piloted attack aircraft have been cleared.
The additional air defense systems will bring the number of S-400 units in the Indian Air Force to 10. India has ordered five units from Russia for supply. $39,000 crore in October 2018 under a government-to-government deal. The Israeli Air Force has already deployed three units of the air defense system; Russia is expected to deliver the remaining systems by the end of the year.
The S-400 systems will be key to India’s proposed National Defense Shield under the Sudarshan Chakra Mission. The country plans to deploy this massive military capability by 2035 to defend its defense and civilian installations against air attacks and respond to the enemy with overwhelming force.
The Council’s acceptance of the necessity of S-400 systems and other military equipment is the first step in the procurement process. Military affairs expert Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd) said: “Approval of additional S-400 systems is the most important takeaway from the DAC meeting. The ongoing wars in Ukraine and West Asia, and last year’s Operation Sindoor, have emphasized the importance of air defense systems. The S-400 is one of the best such systems in the world. For a country the size of India, the five units ordered earlier were inadequate. The new systems will provide the necessary air defense coverage.”
The DAC, headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, also approved the procurement of 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to enhance the airlift capabilities of the Indian Air Force. “The introduction of medium transport aircraft – replacing the AN-32 and IL-76 transport fleets – will meet the services’ strategic, tactical and operational air transport requirements,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Singh said the decisions taken in the DAC will help strengthen India’s defense preparedness. Among the companies vying for the MTA order are US firm Lockheed Martin with its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, which has offered its KC-390 Millennium aircraft to India, and European company Airbus Defense and Space with its A-400M aircraft. The three-corner competition will be in line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to promote self-reliance in the defense manufacturing sector; The winner will set up an aircraft production line in India.
The American company has teamed up with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), and Embraer has teamed up with Mahindra to bid for the contract. However, Airbus has not yet announced its partner.
The C-130J can carry a payload of 20 tons, compared to 26 tons for the KC-390 and 37 tons for the A-400M.
India is likely to award several major contracts in the 2026-27 financial year to enhance the air force’s combat superiority, including deals for 114 Rafale fighter jets, 60 MTA and additional airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) systems, as HT had previously reported.
In February, the DAC approved the purchase of military equipment worth $3.6 million, including 114 Rafale fighter jets, six P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, Scalp deep-strike cruise missiles and high-altitude dummy satellites. The proposed acquisitions approved on Friday include additional Dhanush artillery guns, armor-piercing tank ammunition, a runway-independent air surveillance system, an air defense tracking system, and a high-capacity radio relay for secure tactical communications.
“The Dhanush gun system will enhance artillery capabilities to engage targets at longer ranges in all terrains while enhancing lethality and accuracy,” the Defense Ministry said.
