Does India still need Russia’s S-500? How its own missile shield is changing the equation
India is evaluating the necessity of the Russian S-500 missile system as it continues to develop its own indigenous air defense capabilities. The S-500 is designed to supplement existing S-400 systems by providing high-altitude and anti-satellite interception capabilities.
Why it matters
The decision impacts India's strategic defense procurement and its long-term goal of achieving self-reliance in complex military technology.
Recent and ongoing conflicts have demonstrated the requirement for a comprehensive and layered air defence environment. Modern air defences are tasked with defending against everything from the off the shelf drone to ballistic missiles and everything in between. During the active phase of Operation Sindoor, India defended against almost the entire spectrum of aerial threats ranging from small Pakistani drones to ballistic missiles. Even, well over a year, the Pakistanis have not been able to provide proof of their strikes, instead resorting to AI generated videos on their National Defence Day earlier this month.During the active phase of the operation in May last year, the Pakistanis fired a Fatah series of ballistic missile that wad intercepted over Sirsa in Haryana by the air force.
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