India is considering enhancing its air defense capabilities by acquiring additional Russian-made S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems or next-generation S-500 Prometei missile launchers, ThePrint newspaper reported, citing India’s government sources.

The need for more Russian-made S-400 air defense systems can be explained by their high effectiveness, which they demonstrated during Operation Sindoor against terrorist targets in Pakistan in May this year. India also plans to acquire the latest Russian S-500 surface-to-air missile systems, the sources said.

"The S-400 performed very well in Operation Sindoor, and has a huge deterrence and punitive capability. Yes, we are looking at procuring more of the same. or the S-500," a source said.

The contract signed between Moscow and New Delhi in 2018 for five battalions of S-400 air defense systems includes a follow-up clause for an additional five S-400s. The follow-up clause stipulates that more systems can be purchased at the same price adjusted for inflation and exchange rate changes.

India has already received some S-400s from Russia and expects to get the remaining two missile systems within 12 months, the paper said.