Delivery of S-400 missiles delayed due to Russia-Ukraine war: Air Chief

Contact Counsellor

CategoryDefence

Last Updated07/10/2024

S-400 delivery got delayed because of the Russia-Ukraine war. They (Russia) have promised us that the next two units will be delivered next year and we are looking forward to that.

India’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, emphasized on the air defence systems safeguarding the country against potential missile threats. He acknowledged that while the current and procured systems are competent, their numbers need to be ramped up for better protection.

The delivery of the S-400 missile system from Russia, which is vital for India's air defence, has been delayed due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India has received three out of the five S-400 units so far, with the remaining two expected next year.
The Air Chief reassured that India is looking forward to their delivery, despite the delays.

The systems India possesses, including those in the pipeline, are similar to Israel’s Iron Dome in function, and can effectively intercept missiles. However, he stressed the need for more such systems to protect India’s vital areas.
The focus will be on prioritizing key areas for protection in case of an attack.

Air Chief Marshal Singh acknowledged that India lags behind China in terms of technology and production rates for military platforms.
He expressed confidence that India’s military training is far superior, with greater exposure to various international air forces.
On the Line of Actual Control (LAC), he noted that the situation remains the same as last year, with China rapidly building infrastructure, and India matching it.

There have been delays in the production and delivery of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which have affected the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) squadron strength.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has promised to increase the production rate to 24 aircraft per year to catch up on delays.
The IAF currently has 31 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, and efforts are underway to ensure the number does not drop below 30.

Singh emphasized the need for private sector involvement to complement HAL’s efforts in ramping up production, especially in light of the Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme and future indigenous projects.
Indigenous Development Goals:
The IAF is working on various indigenous projects such as Tejas Mk2, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and ASTRA. The goal is to have a fully indigenized inventory by 2047, which will include surface-to-air guided weapons like MRSAM and AKASH.

The Air Chief acknowledged the impact of global supply chain disruptions due to ongoing conflicts but stated that the IAF has maintained high operational readiness despite these challenges.