The Russian-made S-400 air defence system played a crucial role during India’s Operation Sindoor earlier this year. The Indian Air Force called the S-400 a true “game-changer” in the three-day standoff, thanks to its advanced surface-to-air missile capabilities. Now, as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India today, New Delhi is looking toward the S-400’s more advanced successor, the S-500 Prometheus air defence system. India’s plan to acquire more S-400 units, upgrade its Sukhoi-30 fighter jets, and buy other important military equipment from Russia is expected to be discussed during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s meeting with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, on Thursday.
Belousov is part of President Putin’s high-level delegation to India. The meeting between the two defence ministers will happen a day before the Modi–Putin summit. During the talks, India is likely to press for timely delivery of all pending military equipment. According to media reports, India may also explore the option of buying Russia’s latest S-500 missile defence systems.
What is the S-500 Prometheus?
The S-500 Prometheus is Russia’s newest air and missile defence system, built to handle some of the world’s most advanced threats — including stealth aircraft, drones, ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and even certain low-Earth-orbit (LEO) objects. Developed by Almaz-Antey, it goes well beyond the S-400, extending air defence coverage into the near-space zone.
The system can strike targets at a distance of around 500–600 km and at altitudes of 180–200 km, making it more of a national strategic shield than a regular battlefield weapon.
How is it different from the S-400?
The S-500 is not just a better version of the S-400, it is a major technological jump. While the S-400 focuses on high-altitude air defence, the S-500 can operate in the near-space layer, which the S-400 cannot reach.
The S-500 can tackle much faster and higher-flying threats, including long-range ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and some LEO objects.
It also has a far higher interception ceiling, up to 180–200 km, compared to the S-400’s limit of around 30 km.
India signed a $5 billion deal in 2018 to buy five S-400 units, despite US warnings about possible CAATSA sanctions. India has already received three of those five squadrons.
Key Features of the S-500 Prometheus
- Long-range defence: Can intercept targets at 500–600 km, depending on the missile used. It is built to counter both aircraft and long-range missile threats.
- Near-space capability: Can engage ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and some LEO objects.
- Advanced interceptors: Uses missiles like the 77N6-N and 77N6-N1, capable of destroying targets through direct impact.
- Hypersonic defence: Designed specifically to tackle hypersonic cruise missiles and high-speed re-entry vehicles.
- Faster response: Has a reaction time of just 3–4 seconds, much quicker than the S-400.
Co-production Plan
Russia began deploying limited S-500 units in 2021, and production is still small. Reports say Russia is offering the S-500 to India not just as a ready-made purchase but as a co-production project with Almaz-Antey. Under this plan, key components would be made in India.
The Cost Factor
The S-500 is far more expensive than the S-400 and needs advanced maintenance, specialised training, and long-term support. Integrating it into India’s command-and-control network would also take time and effort.
