An S-400 air defense system

New Delhi: Russia has shipped the fourth batch of S-400 Triumf defense systems which will “reach India by mid-May”, soon after the May 7 anniversary. Operation SindoorA defense source told TOI. The fifth S-400 system is expected to arrive in India in November. The Russian S-400 system had proven its capability to protect India’s military and civilian assets from Pakistani missiles during last year’s conflict.“Pre-dispatch inspection by IAF officers of the incoming S-400 systems was completed by April 18,” Russian state-owned news agency TASS quoted a source as saying. “The fourth Russian S-400 air defense system is coming to India and is expected to be received at the Indian port by mid-May. The new system is planned to be deployed in Rajasthan to strengthen missile defense along the Pakistan border. A fifth system will be deployed along the border with China, TASS said.While the first two batches of S400 systems were deployed along the Pakistan border, the third has been deployed in the eastern region.In 2018, India signed a deal to procure five S-400 squadrons worth $5.43 billion to strengthen its missile defence. Impressed by its highly effective role against Pakistan last year, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) on March 27 this year approved the acquisition of additional five Russian S-400 systems, which is likely to expand the missile shield in the country.India has also decided to purchase 280 short and long-range S-400 missiles to replenish the stockpile used during Operation Sindoor as well as to build up a long-range weapons stockpile. It is estimated that India has fired 11 long-range S-400 missiles at Pakistan, which shoot down fighter planes, early warning systems and transport aircraft.After Sindoor, India is in the process of developing a multi-layered integrated air and missile defense system ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ (India’s own Iron Dome), comprising the S-400 (long range), Barak-8 (medium range), and the indigenous Project Kusha (extended range air defense system), to create an advanced, home-grown “Iron Dome” comprehensive defense against various threats such as ballistic missiles, drones, and hypersonic weapons. India also plans to purchase Russian Pantsir-S1M short-range air defense systems to protect its S-400 Triumf batteries from small threats such as drones.