India on Friday cleared defence procurements worth ₹2.38 lakh crore for the army and the air force, including the purchase of five S-400 missile systems from Russia. “Considering its operational effectiveness and performance during Operation Sindoor, the IAF plans to procure another five S-400 systems,” a defence ministry official said. India had in 2018 signed a $5.43-billion deal to procure five squadrons of S-400, Russia’s most advanced long-range, surface-to-air missile defence system. It said the medium transport aircraft would replace “the transport fleet of AN32 and IL76”, meeting “strategic, tactical and operational airlift requirements”. The remotely piloted strike aircraft will enable offensive counters and coordinated air operations, also providing stealth intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities, it said.

Source: The Telegraph March 28, 2026 06:39 UTC