NEW DELHI, November 3. /TASS/. India is holding talks with Russia on the purchase of the Pantsir-S1M air defense missile and gun system, the Hindustan Times reported, citing government sources.
The Indian Ministry of Defense intends to bring 52 Russian Pantsir systems into service, 13 of which are to be acquired from Russia and 39 produced under license at Indian defense plants. This short-range air defense system is among the weapons that Russia previously offered to India for purchase and joint production.
The Pantsir air defense system is set to be incorporated into India’s layered air defense system, which also features Russian S-400 Triumf long-range air defense missile systems. This year, the Indian Ministry of Defense authorized the procurement of five additional S-400 battalions from Russia to replenish its inventory of this weapon, which had been successfully used to destroy Pakistani fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft, and drones during India’s Sindhoor military operation in May 2025.
Russian-made military equipment operated by the Indian Armed Forces was used during the operation. According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s air defense system was a decisive factor in Operation Sindoor.
In 2018, India signed a deal to purchase five S-400 battalions from Russia for $5.43 billion. Deliveries of the air defense system began in 2021. To date, Russia has delivered four S-400 systems. Four battalions of these systems are deployed along India’s borders with Pakistan and China. The fifth battalion is expected to be delivered to India in January-February 2027.