Putin’s visit to India: The Russian-made S-400 air defense system proved decisive during India’s Sindoor operation earlier this year. The Indian Air Force hailed the S-400 – an advanced surface-to-air missile platform – as a “game changer” in the three-day standoff.
Now, with Russian President Vladimir Putin due to arrive in India today, Delhi is targeting a bigger, stronger and smarter successor to the S-400: the S-500 Prometheus air shield.
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India’s eagerness to procure S-400 missile systems, upgrade Sukhoi 30 fighter jets and buy other important military hardware from Russia will be on the agenda between Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrej Belousov on Thursday.
Belousova will be part of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s delegation to India. The talks between the two defense ministers will take place a day before the summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin.
During the meeting with Belousov, the Indian side is likely to push for the delivery of military equipment within the prescribed time frame.
According to media reports, India may also consider acquiring S-500 missile systems from Russia.
What is the S-500 Prometheus?
The S-500 Prometheus is Russia’s latest next-generation air and missile defense system, designed to defeat a wide range of advanced threats – from stealth aircraft and drones to ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles and even select low-orbit (LEO) objects.
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Developed by Almaz-Antey, the S-500 represents a significant leap forward from the S-400 and extends air defense into the near space layer.
With a strike range of roughly 500–600 km and a strike height of 180–200 km, it functions more as a national-level strategic shield than a conventional combat system.
How does it differ from the S-400?
The S-500 is not just an improved S-400; represents a qualitative leap in what air defense systems can do. It is designed to defend not only the airspace at high altitudes, but also the layer of near space. This is not the case with the S-400.
The S-500 can engage faster, higher-flying threats—including long-range ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and even select low-orbit (LEO) objects.
The S-500 can intercept threats at a distance of about 500-600 kilometers and engage targets at heights of 180-200 kilometers, reaching deep into the layer of near space. For comparison, the ceiling of the S-400 is about 30 kilometers,
In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion business with Russia to buy five units of S-400 air defense missile systems, despite warnings from the US that continuing the contract could trigger US sanctions under the provisions of the Counting America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
Key features of the S-500 Prometheus
1- It can intercept threats at 500-600 km, depending on the missile type. It is designed to counter long-range air and strategic missile threats. It operates at an engagement altitude of 180-200 km and penetrates the exo-atmosphere/near-space layer.
2- Enables the interception of ballistic missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles and some LEO objects.
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3- It uses advanced interceptors like 77N6-N and 77N6-N1. It is capable of kinetic killing, which means destroying targets with force rather than explosive proximity.
4-It is specially developed for the deployment of hypersonic cruise missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles and high-speed ballistic reentry vehicles
5- It comes with an engagement reaction time of 3-4 seconds, which is significantly faster than the S-400.
Co-production program
Russia has commissioned a limited number of S-500 units in 2021, and production remains modest.
According to reports, Russia is offering the S-500 not just as a purchase, but as a co-production program with Almaz-Antey – the state-owned air and space defense giant behind the S-300, S-400 and S-500 families. Key components would be manufactured in India.
Challenge cost factor
The S-500 is significantly more expensive than the S-400 and requires complex maintenance, specialized training and long-term service arrangements. Its integration into India’s command and control network would also be challenging.
The S-500 represents a qualitative leap in what air defense systems can do.
Export availability is extremely limited and political negotiations are likely to drag on. But the system’s capabilities are being built for the next era of air and missile defense.
