NEW DELHI: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 288 additional S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia at an estimated cost of ₹10,000 crore, according to a Hindustan Times report.
According to Hindustan Times report, the clearance includes 120 short-range and 168 long-range missiles. The acquisition will be carried out under the Fast Track Procedure (FTP). India is also slated to receive two more S-400 systems already under contract in June and November this year.
The report said the Indian Air Force (IAF) is pressing for procurement of five additional S-400 systems from Russia, along with the Pantsir short-range air defence system designed to counter armed and kamikaze drones. Integrated deployment of the S-400 and Pantsir platforms is expected to create a layered air defence shield capable of neutralising aerial threats across the border.
An official statement issued Thursday said the DAC approved AoNs for multiple proposals with a total estimated outlay of around ₹3.60 lakh crore. For the IAF, approvals were granted for procurement of Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), Rafale jets, combat missiles and an Air-Ship-Based High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite system.
The defence ministry said the MRFA acquisition would significantly enhance air dominance and long-range strike deterrence capabilities, with most aircraft expected to be manufactured in India. The cleared combat missiles aim to strengthen stand-off ground attack capability with deep-strike precision.
For the Indian Army, AoN was approved for anti-tank mines (Vibhav) and overhaul of Armoured Recovery Vehicles, T-72 tanks and BMP-II Infantry Combat Vehicles. The Indian Navy received approval for a 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine-based Electric Power Generator and additional P-8I aircraft.
As reported by Hindustan Times that replenishing stocks of the S-400’s 400 km, 200 km, 150 km and 40 km range missiles was deemed necessary after extensive deployment during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The air defence system was reportedly used to intercept Pakistani fighter jets, airborne early warning aircraft, surveillance planes and armed drones.
The report added that following India’s strike on a large aircraft inside Pakistan’s Punjab province at a distance of 314 km using an S-400 long-range missile, Pakistan allegedly repositioned a significant portion of its operational aircraft to airbases in the western sector near Afghanistan and Iran. (Agencies)
