Fifth and final S-400 'Sudarshan Chakra' air-defence squadron from Russia – arrival now expected in early 2027

4 November 2026 · English Defence

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Topics: Defence · 4 November 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

Under the 2018 contract for five S-400 'Triumf' air-defence squadrons (regiments), the fifth and final one, earlier expected in November 2026, is now likely to arrive in January–February 2027, reports of 2–3 Nov 2026 citing government officials said – an Indian team will inspect it in Russia in December and parts may start arriving from January. The first three arrived in 2021–2023 and the fourth in May–June 2026; they are deployed facing the Pakistan and China fronts. It will complete the deal for the system known in India as 'Sudarshan Chakra'. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared a proposal for five more squadrons in March 2026, and talks with Russia are under way.

Key facts

Deal	5 Oct 2018 – about $5.43 bn (₹40,000 crore); 5 squadrons
Deliveries	1st in Dec 2021; three by 2023; 4th May–June 2026; 5th expected Jan–Feb 2027
System	Long-range surface-to-air missile system; range up to 400 km (40N6E); designed by Almaz-Antey
NATO name	SA-21 'Growler'; in Russian service since 2007
Op Sindoor	S-400 downed 5 Pakistani fighters and 1 large aircraft at about 300 km – claim by IAF chief A.P. Singh (9 Aug 2025); denied by Pakistan
Next	DAC cleared 5 more squadrons (Mar 2026); talks with Russia

Background

• International relations: the US 'Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act' (CAATSA, 2017) allows sanctions on countries making major arms deals with Russia, Iran or North Korea. NATO member Turkey was sanctioned on 14 Dec 2020 for buying the S-400. India has not been sanctioned so far; it went ahead citing strategic autonomy.
• Defence: Operation Sindoor – in response to the 22 Apr 2025 Pahalgam (J&K) terror attack, India struck terror camps in Pakistan and PoK on the night of 6–7 May 2025. India's S-400 saw combat for the first time; the IAF chief called one of its hits 'the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill' (Pakistan denies the claim).
• Policy: in his Independence Day speech of 15 Aug 2025, the PM announced 'Mission Sudarshan Chakra' – to bring key public places such as railway stations, hospitals and places of worship under a nationwide 'security shield' by 2035.
• Science: the S-400 is a layered air-defence system of missiles of different ranges, long-range radars and a command post, able to intercept aircraft, drones, cruise and ballistic missiles. Its Indian name comes from Lord Vishnu's discus in Hindu mythology.

Tamil Nadu link: there is no direct Tamil Nadu link to this news. A Tamil Nadu example of India–Russia cooperation is the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tirunelveli district, being built with Russian cooperation – two 1,000 MW units are running and four more are under construction.

Source: NewsBytes, 2 Nov 2026; IND24, 3 Nov 2026; The Tribune, 3 Jun 2026; Haribhoomi, 24 Oct 2026; The Tribune, 9 Aug 2025; Business Today, 15 Aug 2025; Free Press Journal; Wikipedia (S-400)

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