India is continuously moving towards strengthening its air defence. The Russian Pantsir missile system is considered important for the security of the S-400. Experts say that India should purchase the Pantsir-S1M system as soon as possible, so that it can protect itself from attacks by drones and cruise missiles.

Pakistan misled by S-400 dummy in Operation Sindoor

During Operation Sindoor between India and Pakistan in May 2025, Pakistan attacked S-400 launchers at Adampur airbase in Punjab. But there was no damage, because the Indian Air Force had shifted the original S-400 batteries to another place. The parts that were damaged in the attack were dummies.

Retired IAF pilot and military analyst Vijender K Thakur wrote in an op-ed published on 29 November 2025 that Pakistan did not have up-to-date intelligence on the exact location of the S-400. But in future such help can be received from China or America, hence the security of S-400 is necessary.

What is Pantsir System and why is it important?

According to the Eurasian Times, the Pantsir-S1M is Russia’s short-range air defense system, which protects long-range systems like the S-400. It protects against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, drones and precision guided munitions. his-

• Range: 20-30 kilometers
• Height: up to 18 kilometers
• New Missiles: Heavy warhead (25 kg), TKB-1055 ‘Gwozd’ missile is fitted for mini drone. 12 missiles and two 30mm guns (each gun can fire 40 rounds per second).
• Upgraded Radar: Detects targets like GMLRS from double the distance. Everything including mobile and three crew members on one vehicle.

In the Ukraine war, despite the protection of Pantsir, the Russian S-400 was damaged by Ukraine’s Storm Shadow cruise missile and low-flying drone. With the help of NATO intelligence, the drones dodge Pantsir and attack the S-400.

What is the current status of the Pantsir deal between India and Russia?

This deal is to increase self-reliance under Make in India. India has been trying to acquire Pantsir for a long time…

• August 2020: Russian media Izvestia reported that many countries, including India, showed interest in the Pantsir-S1M.
• April 2024: Russia had announced to double pantsir production for its forces.
• November 2024: India and Russia had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and production of customized variants of Pantsir.
• Earlier reports (2023-2024): Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Russia’s Rosoboronexport signed an agreement on manufacturing, technology transfer and joint development at the IRIGC meeting in Goa.

What is the opinion of experts on this deal?

Vijender Thakur says that India had purchased five regiments of S-400 in 2018, but without Pantsir this decision was wrong. This happened due to lack of budget, but now Pantsir should be achieved rapidly. The combination of S-400 and Pantsir is most effective against air threats coming from the border.

India currently has three regiments of S-400, two more are yet to arrive. Pantsir is necessary before the next conflict, so that the S-400 remains safe from low-altitude drone and missile attacks. This step will make India’s air defense layered and stronger.

Russia has started testing the Kirov -class cruiser Admiral Nakhimov fighter aircraft in White C after 28 years. It is one of the world’s largest and heaviest weapons. This warship of Russia has landed in the sea in the last week of July and is currently undergoing many types of Tests.

The firepower of a 28,000 -ton warship makes Cruiser Admiral Nahkishov special. Along with this, Admiral Nakhimov is also the first warship to use the Russian Air Defense System S-400. Please tell that three battalions of S-400 are posted on this ship.

80 cruise missiles on Russia ship
According to the Military Watch magazine, the Russian warship has an 80 cruise missiles on the ship. It has 3M14T missiles like Kalibra. They can be used to carry out an accurate attack on land 2500 km away. This includes new jerkon-anti-ship missiles. Their speed is up to Mac 9. The large part of its propaganda chamber (96 of 176) is to accommodate the naval version of the S-400 long distance air defense system.

How powerful is Admiral Nakhimov
Admiral is the first warship to use Nakhimov S-400. This system was installed during renewal to change the old S-300F system. The Kirov category cruiser can carry three battalions of S-400 systems, which is more than the total arsenal of the long-range surface of the countries of most countries. It costs $ 1.6 billion on exporting it as land -based systems.

Cruiser Admiral Nakhimov fighter aircraft are also capable of killing hypersonic missiles flying at speeds up to MAC 8, while the missile herself flies at more than 14 speeds. Other missiles of 40N6 and S-400 systems have been tested in intensive warfare in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Russia officials have emphasized the significant ability to modernize the Kirov category. Officials estimate that the air defense capabilities of these warships in the future can be even better than the integration of long-range missiles developed for high-tech systems like S-500 and S-550.

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Drdo kusha sky shield program: India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) chief announced on 8 June 2025 that the project is equal to the S-500 of Kusha Russia and ahead of S-400 in capabilities. This project can prove to be a game changer for India’s air defense. It has been designed to combat stealth jets, drones, aircraft and Mac-7 anti-ship ballistic missiles.

Project Kusha is developing DRDO and indigenous is a long distance air defense system. It is also known as the Extended Range Air Defense System (Erads) or the Presioration-Guided Long-Legend Surface-to-Air Missile (PGLRSAM). Project Kusha bridges the distance between 80 km MR-SAM and 400 km S-400. Also integrated with systems like Akash and Barak-8.

Success will be achieved in dealing with the dangers of Pakistan and China

This is an important part of the self -sufficient India initiative. Its purpose is to protect India’s airs from aerial threats by strengthening regional threats, especially Pakistan and China. After the May 2025 India-Pakistan struggle, the project was noted, where the air defense system proved important against drones and missiles and the need for indigenous abilities like Kusha was strengthened. It is estimated that by 2028-2029 time limit, this system will be operational for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy.

What is the specialty of this system?

The main strength of Project Kusha is its three-tailed interceptor missile system, designed to neutralize several air threats at different distances. The M1 Interceptor (150 km) missile will target threats such as fighter jets, drones and cruise missiles.

Its compact is equipped with a 250 mm diameter diameter diameter, dual pulse solid rocket motor and thrust vector control, which ensures high mobility and accuracy, which makes it special for strategic encounters.

The extended range M2 interceptor (250 km) missile can target advanced targets, including Airborn Early Warning and Control System (AEW & CS) and Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile (ASBM). It includes a 250 mm fire vehicle of M1, which is favorable for agility and accuracy against moderate distance hazards.

The system is designed to compete with the longest distance missile, M3 interceptor (350–400 km), large aircraft and potentially short and medium-range ballistic missiles (SRBM and IRBM).

System capacity

These interceptors have an 85% impressive single-shot kilo likely, which increases by 98.5% on launching two missiles in Salvo mode at an interval of five seconds. Missiles use a hit-to-cil technique, depending on kinetic energy rather than explosive warheads, which is similar to advanced systems such as US Thaad or SM-3.

Mixing radar and infrared guidance increases their ability to track and destroy the dual-seakar technology, low-radar-signature targets, such as stealth aircraft and cruise missiles.

Advance radar system

The effectiveness of Project Kusha depends on its state-of-the-art radar system, especially the long range battle management radar (LRBMR), a S-band radar with a detection range of more than 500 km. This radar can scan up to 500–600 km in the enemy’s territory, which already warns against stealth aircraft, drones, accurate-directed war materials and ballistic missiles. Project Kusha has been designed as a multi -layer air defense system.

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