Russia's S-500 Prometheus: A Quantum Leap Beyond the S-400 for India's Air Defense

The S-500 Prometheus air defense system may become India's largest weapons acquisition from Russia, surpassing the successful S-400 deal.

New Delhi:

The Russian-built S-400 air defense missile system stands as one of the most remarkable weaponry success stories from Operation Sindoor. India ordered five regiments in 2018 as part of a $5.43 billion agreement. During India's military operations in May, the S-400 demonstrated exceptional capabilities by detecting, tracking, and eliminating multiple Pakistani aircraft deep within Pakistani airspace, establishing complete air dominance.

The system proved so effective as a deterrent that India now seeks to acquire five additional S-400 regiments. Each Indian S-400 regiment comprises 16 launcher vehicles divided into two batteries, with each battery operated by a command-and-control system and equipped with surveillance and engagement radar vehicles.

However, as Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India, the military focus shifts to something more significant. While the S-400 program expands, the centerpiece of discussions is the S-400's vastly superior successor, the S-500 Prometheus. This represents not merely an upgrade but a fundamentally different weapon system with substantially enhanced capabilities.

Unlike the previous S-400 arrangement, the S-500 is being proposed as a co-production agreement where an Indian partner will collaborate with Russia's Almaz Antey to manufacture missile components locally.

While the S-400 provides India air dominance, the S-500 is engineered to deliver air, missile, and near-space superiority. The differences between these systems are substantial and significant.

The S-400 offers a range of up to 400 km, whereas the S-500 extends to approximately 500-600 km. The S-400 intercepts targets at altitudes up to 30 km, while the S-500 can engage threats up to 180-200 km in the near-space domain.

The S-500 represents a major advancement in terms of target engagement capabilities.

While the S-400 counters aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles, the S-500 addresses all these threats plus long-range ballistic missiles and reportedly can counter hypersonic glide vehicles, though this capability remains to be verified. The S-400 supports theater air defense, whereas the S-500 provides national-level protection against air, ballistic, and hypersonic threats.

The missile systems employed by these platforms differ significantly. The S-400 utilizes 48N6 and 40N6 missiles, while the S-500 introduces advanced 77N6-N and 77N6-N1 hit-to-kill interceptors.

Despite its impressive performance specifications, the S-400 addresses tactical and operational threats, while the S-500 is designed to counter strategic threats and potential future hypersonic warfare. The S-400 protects airspace over specific regions and sectors, whereas the S-500 defends cities, strategic infrastructure, and command centers across the entire nation.

The S-400 has demonstrated excellent integration with India's complex air defense network, which incorporates various international systems, from India's indigenous Akash system to Israeli MRSAM and SpyDer platforms.

The S-500 acquisition could potentially become India's largest single weapons deal with Russia.

Range S-400: 400 km S-500: 500-600 km

Altitude S-400: Up to 30 km S-500: Up to 180-200 km

Target Types S-400: Aircraft, drones, cruise missiles S-500: All above + ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons

Defence Role S-400: Theatre air defense S-500: National ballistic and hypersonic defence

Interceptor Family S-400: 48N6, 40N6 S-500: 77N6-N, 77N6-N1

Threat Category S-400: Tactical and operational S-500: Tactical & Strategic

Coverage Effect S-400: Protects region / theatre S-500: Protects cities and critical national assets

Deterrence Outcome S-400: Regional air advantage S-500: Continental missile and hypersonic advantage