According to IDRW on July 19, 2024, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first bilateral visit to Russia since securing his third term, Russia renewed its proposal for joint production of its latest S-500 air defense system. This proposal came amidst India’s ongoing efforts to enhance its defense capabilities, having already procured the Russian S-400 air defense system for border security.
The S-500 air defense system, developed as a successor to the S-400, represents a significant advancement in aerial defense technology. It is designed to intercept a wide array of aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hypersonic missiles, and ballistic missiles, at ranges extending up to 600 kilometers. The system can track up to 10 hypersonic targets simultaneously and detect hostile objects in the lower layers of space at altitudes reaching 2,000 kilometers. Despite its versatile capabilities, the primary focus of the S-500 is countering intermediate-range ballistic missiles. In May 2018, Russia conducted the longest-range surface-to-air missile test with the S-500, reportedly hitting its targets successfully, according to sources familiar with U.S. intelligence on the program.
India’s decision on whether to accept Russia’s offer remains uncertain. The deal could face scrutiny due to potential sanctions and geopolitical considerations. However, this renewed push signifies the S-500’s importance in the global arms race, particularly in hypersonic missile defense.
The proposed joint production of the S-500 recalls the BrahMos missile project, another India-Russia defense collaboration. The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, fighter aircraft, or land-based platforms. It is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. In service since 2005, the BrahMos missile is known for its versatility, speed, and precision, with variants capable of targeting land and sea threats at extended ranges. This partnership underscores the potential benefits of further collaboration on advanced defense technologies.