India To Procure 300 S-400 Missiles Worth ₹10,000 Crore After Operation Sindoor, RFP Soon

India's Defence Ministry is preparing to issue a formal request for proposal (RFP) to acquire nearly 300 missiles for its S-400 air defence systems from Russia's Rosoboronexport, in a deal worth over ₹10,000 crore. The move is aimed at replenishing missile stocks depleted during Operation Sindoor and strengthening India's overall air-defence capacity.

According to officials, the procurement will include long-range missiles capable of striking targets at 400 km, 200 km, and 150 km, along with short-range 40 km interceptors. These systems were used extensively in May 2025, when the S-400 network played a decisive role in bringing down Pakistani fighter jets, drones, and early warning aircraft. The Defence Acquisition Council, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared the proposal under fast-track procedures. Approvals from the Cost Negotiation Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Security are expected within the current financial year.

Operation Sindoor showcased the S-400's operational effectiveness, including a 314 km engagement that successfully neutralised a Pakistani aircraft. In the backdrop of continuing tensions with Pakistan and China, the missile replenishment has become a priority. India has already received three of the five S-400 squadrons ordered earlier, with the remaining two expected by 2026.

Meanwhile, discussions between India and Russia on additional S-400 squadrons and long-term maintenance facilities are ongoing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Vladimir Putin on December 5. However, officials have indicated that no major new defence agreements are expected to be concluded during the summit.