Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 28: India is expected to receive the fourth unit of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system from Russia in the first part of May, further strengthening the Indian Air Force’s air defence capabilities, sources in the security establishment said on Tuesday.

India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia in October 2018 for procurement of five units of the advanced missile defence system, of which three have already been delivered. Sources said the fifth and final unit under the original contract is likely to be delivered by November under a revised timeline.

The fourth unit has reportedly already been shipped and is expected to arrive in India in the coming days.

Sources said the S-400 systems played a significant role during Operation Sindoor and were also deployed extensively by the IAF during the May 7-10 military conflict with Pakistan.

In a major boost to India’s air defence preparedness, New Delhi last month cleared procurement of an additional five S-400 systems from Russia, taking the total number of units to 10.

Despite concerns raised earlier by the United States over possible sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), sources said India does not foresee any obstacle, as the new acquisition is considered a follow-on order to the previous contract.

Russia has already trained Indian personnel in operating the missile systems, regarded as one of the world’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air defence platforms.