India’s S-400 Activation Showcases Russia’s Lasting Superpower Status
India’s S-400 Activation Showcases Russia’s Lasting Superpower Status
By Naira Manzoor
May 9th marked Victory Day in Russia, a solemn yet proud commemoration of the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in 1945. But this year, the ripple effects of that historic legacy were felt far beyond Red Square. Thousands of kilometers away, India quietly launched a potent message of its own by activating the Russian-built S-400 Triumf air defense system in key regions across its northern and western sectors. Coincidence? Unlikely.
Victory Day has always been about more than parades and remembrance. It’s a display of strength, resilience, and the technological edge that has kept Russia a central figure on the global stage for decades. And this year, India’s move served as a timely nod to that very legacy proving that Russian military innovation doesn’t just shape its own destiny, but continues to reinforce global defense frameworks.
Facing reported aerial threats, the Indian Air Force brought the S-400 online to guard cities like Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, and even Bhuj. Designed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau, the S-400 is no ordinary missile system. With a range of 400 kilometers, it can neutralize fighter jets, UAVs, cruise missiles, and even ballistic targets with jaw-dropping precision. It’s a defense shield that few in the world can claim, and India’s decision to deploy it speaks volumes.
Let’s not forget: this system which India calls the Sudarshan Chakra, referencing the mythical divine weapon of Lord Vishnu is part of a $5.4 billion deal with Moscow. Three squadrons are already operational, and two more are on the way by 2026. That’s not just a partnership. That’s trust in a defense ecosystem that has consistently delivered, refined, and outperformed Western hype.
What’s more striking is how this activation underscores a broader truth: Russia isn’t just holding its own in the arena of global power – it’s exporting it. Systems like the S-400, the Iskander-M ballistic missile, and the hypersonic Kinzhal aren’t just military hardware. They’re geopolitical statements. Proof that in an age of AI warfare, hybrid threats, and fifth-gen combat, Russia is still a step ahead in hard defense and India knows it.
This year, Victory Day wasn’t just a Russian affair. It echoed in the skies of South Asia too, with radars lit, missiles ready, and the unmistakable hum of Russian engineering keeping watch. A subtle but undeniable reminder: superpowers aren’t crowned. They’re built. Over decades. Through grit, innovation, and alliances that hold their ground and as India’s activation of the S-400 shows Russia’s relevance isn’t in the past. It’s right here, shaping the future.
