Several announcements regarding Indian air defence systems came in late March, as Delhi replenishes missile stocks and expands its defensive capabilities against air threats such as drones, aircraft and missiles.
On 27 March, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the procurement of additional S-400 Triumf long-range surface-to-air missile systems to “counter enemy long-range air vectors targeting vital areas,” according to an official press release. It is believed that India wants five new S-400 batteries.
Under an earlier 2018 contract, India has received three S-400 batteries so far and with two more due this year. Facing a three-year delivery delay because of Russia’s war with Ukraine, the fourth battery is said to be undergoing final tests and will reach India in May or June. The final S-400 battery is due towards the end of 2026.
On the same day, the DAC also approved an acceptance of necessity for tracked air defence vehicles for the Indian Army, a procedure that will open the way for a tender process to begin.
Earlier, the army had initiated such a requirement in July 2023 for a modern self-propelled gun/missile air defence systems to provide embedded, close air defence for mechanised formations against low-level air threats in contested electronic warfare environments.
The systems were expected to be mounted either on tracked or wheeled (6×6 or 8×8) platforms. That particular request for information called for a minimum of 24 systems, though 72 or more could be acquired. These would be deployed across plains, desert, high-altitude terrain and in mountainous areas up to 5,000m high.
In a contract also signed on 27 March, the Indian Army inked a deal with Rosoboronexport to replenish missile stocks for its 2S6M Tunguska M1 short-range gun/missile air defence systems.
This contract is worth INR4.45 billion (US$47.2 million), and the missile replenishment is likely intended to build up weapon stocks following India’s brief conflict with Pakistan in May 2025.
“These cutting-edge missiles will enhance India’s multilayered air defence capabilities against aerial threats, including aircraft, drones and cruise missiles,” an Indian Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated.
Tunguska self-propelled gun/missile systems provide terminal air defence for the Indian Army’s mechanised and strike formations. The army placed its first orders for the 2S6M Tunguska M1 system in 2001, with follow-on orders placed in 2005.
The Indian Army also operates upgraded ZSU-57-2 and ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled air defence systems. The 48th and final ZSU-23-4 Shilka system was upgraded by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in February 2020.
Performed locally, the Shilka upgrade effort delivered an all-weather, low-level air defence system capable of defending mechanised formations against aircraft, drones and helicopters.
Their legacy analogue radar was replaced by a 3D, active, phased-array radar and electro-optical fire control system incorporating a colour camera, thermal imager and laser rangefinder.
The upgraded system can receive target cueing from an external surveillance radar. According to BEL, the upgrades significantly improved operational performance, targeting accuracy, power consumption and mean time between failures.
Upgraded Shilka systems also feature cabin air-conditioning, absent in the original variant, while a new engine has significantly reduced fuel consumption.
by Mike Rajkumar
