In May 2025, a brief but intense military conflict between India and Pakistan sent shockwaves through the international community. At the center of this confrontation was the Russian-made S-400 ‘Triumf’ surface-to-air missile system, which demonstrated unprecedented battlefield effectiveness and reshaped perceptions that had been tarnished by skepticism during the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.
During the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Western media repeatedly questioned the efficacy of the S-400, portraying it as an overrated relic unable to counter modern aerial threats. However, its performance in South Asia painted a completely different picture. India’s use of the S-400 during Operation Sindoor, launched against Pakistani air and missile threats, proved to be a game-changer.
Deployed along India’s western front, the S-400 successfully intercepted multiple air-launched cruise missiles, drones, and even advanced aerial platforms fired from across the border. In one notable instance, it shot down a Pakistani Saab Erieye-2000 airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft flying over 300 kilometers inside Pakistan—marking the longest recorded kill by a surface-to-air missile at 314 kilometers.
India’s $5.4 billion purchase of five S-400 units from Russia began under former Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar. Despite U.S. diplomatic pressure and the looming threat of sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), India prioritized strategic autonomy and national security. As a result, three units were delivered and deployed—two along the western border and one in the east—with two more still awaited.
The performance of the S-400 in the latest conflict vindicated India’s bold decision. It became clear that these systems were not just defensive assets, but strategic force multipliers capable of creating Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2AD) zones—buffer regions where enemy aircraft and missiles could be neutralized well before reaching Indian airspace.
According to Indian Air Force (IAF) sources and local media outlets like the Hindustan Times, Operation Sindoor began on the night of May 9–10, 2025. It featured a coordinated missile strike campaign targeting key Pakistani airbases and radar systems. Among the highlights was a BrahMos missile strike on Bholari Airbase that damaged an AWACS aircraft and led to several casualties.
Pakistani Air Marshal (ret.) Masood Akhtar later confirmed the incident in an interview, noting that four successive BrahMos missiles targeted the airbase and that the final one struck a hangar housing the airborne radar platform.
Simultaneously, S-400 units shot down Pakistani air-launched cruise missiles and drones attempting to retaliate. Not only were these interceptions precise, but they also highlighted the resilience and adaptability of the S-400 in countering saturation attacks.
The S-400 system is a complex network of launchers, radars, and command centers. It can simultaneously track and engage up to 80 targets using multiple missile types—including the 40N6 (400 km range) and 48N6 (250 km range). Designed to intercept high-speed aircraft, ballistic missiles, and stealth drones, it features a 143 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead and can operate at altitudes up to 60 km.
Its road-mobile architecture allows for rapid redeployment, significantly reducing vulnerability to counterattacks. This maneuverability, combined with layered radar systems, ensures high situational awareness and comprehensive coverage.
Following its performance, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is expected to visit Moscow to discuss the expedited delivery of the remaining S-400 units. There are also discussions within India’s defense circles about procuring the next-generation S-500 ‘Prometheus’, which boasts a 600 km range and the capability to intercept hypersonic missiles and low-earth orbit satellites.
What makes the S-500 particularly attractive is its compatibility with existing S-400 infrastructure. India would only need new missiles and software, as the launch systems remain unchanged. This potential acquisition aligns with India’s long-term defense modernization strategy and its ambition to develop a fully integrated air defense shield.
India’s broader air defense philosophy relies on layered protection. It involves:
- Outer Layer: Air superiority fighters equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles.
- Middle Layer: Surface-to-air guided weapons (SAGWs) like the S-400.
- Inner Layer: Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and anti-aircraft artillery for short-range defense.
The Indian Air Force has operationalized nearly 50 SAM units, exceeding the number of fighter squadrons. These include Russian-made systems (Pechora, OSA-AK, Igla), the Indo-Israeli MRSAM, and the indigenously developed Akash missile.
The IAF Doctrine 2022 emphasizes the need for an Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), which connects all air and ground-based AD systems across services. According to the doctrine, this enables prolonged high-readiness states, swift responses, and robust protection of critical assets through overlapping coverage and defense-in-depth.
The May 2025 conflict also underscored the evolving nature of modern warfare. Hybrid threats—ranging from drones to cyber-attacks and misinformation campaigns—blurred the lines between conventional and non-traditional combat. In such a scenario, having a high-performance air defense system like the S-400 offers not just deterrence, but also operational flexibility.
As Pakistan moves to procure Chinese stealth aircraft like the J-35, India’s future strategy might include bolstering its defenses with systems like the S-500, as well as enhancing indigenous capabilities.
Much of today’s air defense architecture in India owes its foundation to the vision of former Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar. A metallurgical engineer by training, Parrikar brought a rare blend of technical acumen and strategic foresight to the Ministry of Defence. He championed the S-400 deal, recognizing the need for a tiered defense structure even as international pressure mounted.
His emphasis on modernization, self-reliance, and strategic clarity helped lay the groundwork for the capabilities that India demonstrated during Operation Sindoor. Parrikar’s legacy is now etched into India’s defense narrative—not just as a policymaker, but as a visionary who helped transform India’s air defense landscape.
The events of May 2025 and the stellar performance of the S-400 have redefined the strategic calculus in South Asia. No longer just a deterrent, India’s air defense shield has become an active component of its military doctrine—capable of neutralizing advanced threats with surgical precision.
What was once doubted has now been proven in the crucible of conflict. The S-400’s success during the India-Pakistan confrontation stands as a testament to technological excellence, strategic planning, and the vision of leaders who prioritized national security over political convenience.
