In the context of increasingly intense global military technology competition, Indian media recently reported that India is actively seeking to introduce Russia's S-500 air defense missile system, aiming to acquire this advanced weapon before China, and claiming that the system can effectively detect China's J-35 stealth fighter.
This news has quickly drawn widespread international attention, reflecting India's sense of urgency in its military modernization process, while also highlighting the complex strategic game in South Asia.
India-China Relations and Border Disputes
India and China have long-standing disputes over border issues, especially since the 2020 Galwan Valley conflict, which has led to continued tension between the two countries. In May 2025, India and Pakistan erupted in fierce military clashes in the Kashmir region, although a temporary truce was reached with the mediation of allies, the tense situation has not dissipated.
Against this backdrop, India shows high vigilance towards the rapid growth of China's military power. The J-35 stealth fighter, as a fifth-generation aircraft, has advanced stealth technology and supersonic cruise capabilities, seen as a potential threat to India's air defense. Therefore, India is eager to enhance its air defense capabilities to cope with pressure from the east.
In May 2025, the India-Pakistan conflict further escalated tensions in South Asia. Pakistan recently announced the purchase of 40 J-35 fighters from China, expected to be delivered within the next two years, which will make its air force technologically ahead of India by 6 to 8 years.
India is deeply anxious about this, as its existing air defense systems, such as the S-400 and indigenous Akash missiles, seem inadequate in dealing with the threats posed by stealth fighters and hypersonic weapons. Introducing the S-500 system is viewed as a strategic move for India to balance regional military forces and address the dual challenges from Pakistan and China.
Russia, India's traditional arms supplier, has long provided India with a large number of weapons, including the S-400 and Su-30MKI fighter jets. In 2025, Russia proposed joint production of the S-500 system in India, aiming to deepen bilateral military cooperation and expand its arms export market.
Under the context of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and Western sanctions, Russia urgently needs to maintain its economic and geopolitical influence through the export of advanced weapons. The S-500, as Russia's latest generation air defense system, is not only a symbol of technological strength but also a key bargaining chip in the global arms sales market.
Currently, the global arms sales landscape is undergoing profound changes. China, as an emerging arms exporter, has attracted widespread attention with its J-35 fighter jet and Hongqi-19 anti-missile system. At the same time, the United States is trying to expand its influence in the Indian market through F-35 fighter jets and the THAAD system.
In this multi-party rivalry, India must deal with direct threats from China and Pakistan while seeking a balance between the US and Russia. The introduction of the S-500 system is not only a military need but also a reflection of India's efforts to enhance its strategic position on the international stage.
S-500 Air Defense Missile System
The S-500 "Prometheus" air defense missile system is Russia's latest generation of strategic-level air defense weapons, designed to intercept hypersonic missiles, stealth fighters, and low-orbit satellites. Its main technical parameters include a maximum range of up to 600 kilometers, far exceeding the S-400's 400 kilometers; a maximum altitude of 350 kilometers, capable of covering the height of low-orbit satellites. The system is equipped with advanced phased array radar, with a detection range reportedly reaching 800 kilometers, capable of identifying targets with low radar cross-section (RCS).
The core advantage of the S-500 lies in its multi-target tracking and interception capabilities, able to handle multiple threats, including ballistic missiles and hypersonic vehicles. Indian media claims that the system can detect China's J-35 fighter jet, aiming to emphasize its technological advancement.
The J-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter currently being developed by China, featuring several advanced characteristics. It uses a low radar cross-section design, equipped with radar-absorbing materials and special geometric shapes, offering strong stealth capabilities; it also has supersonic cruise capability, significantly enhancing battlefield maneuverability. The J-35 is a multi-role fighter capable of performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, equipped with advanced avionics and weapon systems.
As an important component of China's air force modernization, the performance of the J-35 is closely watched. Its planned export to Pakistan has further intensified India's concerns about aerial threats. However, specific performance parameters of the J-35 remain largely undisclosed, and its stealth effectiveness and actual combat capabilities still need to be verified through real combat scenarios.
India claims that the S-500 can detect the J-35, mainly based on the advanced nature of its radar system. However, this claim is controversial. The difficulty of detecting stealth fighters depends on the target's radar cross-section, flight altitude, and the band and power of the detection system. Although the S-500's radar has strong detection capabilities, its effectiveness may be limited under extreme distances and complex electromagnetic environments.
In the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the S-400 system was bypassed by Ukrainian drones and missiles, raising doubts about its reliability. As an upgraded version of the S-400, the true performance of the S-500 remains to be verified.
Motivations for India to Acquire the S-500
India still heavily relies on imports for military technology, accounting for 8.3% of global arms imports. Its domestic weapon systems, such as the Akash missile and the "Tejas" fighter, lag behind the advanced equipment of China and Russia in terms of performance. During the "Sindhu Operation" in May 2025, India successfully intercepted a Pakistani drone using the S-400, boosting confidence in Russian-made air defense systems. Acquiring the S-500 is seen as a key step to further enhance the air defense network and bridge the technological gap.
The rapid development of China in stealth fighter and hypersonic weapon fields poses a significant threat to India. The deployment of the J-35 not only enhances the striking capability of the Chinese Air Force but also indirectly constrains India through its export to Pakistan. India hopes to form a strategic deterrent against China's stealth fighters by leveraging the long-range and detection capabilities of the S-500, thus gaining an advantageous position in border conflicts.
India's effort to acquire the S-500 before China reflects its sense of urgency in geopolitics. If China secures the S-500 first, its air defense capabilities will further improve, potentially weakening India's strategic advantage in South Asia. Moreover, India aims to consolidate bilateral relations with Russia and demonstrate its influence in the global arms sales market through cooperation.
The acquisition of the S-500 by India could trigger a chain reaction, further escalating the arms race in South Asia. China may accelerate the development of more advanced stealth fighters and countermeasures, such as an upgraded version of the J-20 or new electronic jamming equipment. Pakistan, in turn, may deepen its cooperation with China, procuring more J-35 or other advanced weapons. This competition not only increases the risk of regional conflicts but may also lead to increased military spending, diverting resources from economic development.
The United States has been pushing for sanctions against Russia and trying to restrict the export of Russian weapons through the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). India's previous procurement of the S-400 had already caused dissatisfaction in the United States, and if it continues to acquire the S-500, it may face even stricter sanction pressures. Meanwhile, the United States, as a major arms supplier to India, is competing for market share through the F-35 and Patriot systems. India's choices between the US and Russia will have a profound impact on its foreign policy.
Russia needs to weigh its relationships with India and China when exporting the S-500. China, as a significant neighbor and economic partner of Russia, is highly sensitive to the dynamics of Russian arms exports. If the S-500 is prioritized for India, it may provoke a backlash from China, affecting cooperation between China and Russia in energy and technology areas. Russia also needs to maintain its international influence through arms exports, and India, as a long-term customer, holds irreplaceable strategic value.
The acquisition of the S-500 by India faces multiple practical challenges. First, as a strategic-level weapon, the export of the S-500 requires approval from the Russian president, and the approval process may become complicated due to geopolitical factors. Second, the high cost of the S-500 poses a burden on India's defense budget. According to estimates, the price of each S-500 system may exceed $2 billion, far higher than the approximately $500 million for the S-400. Additionally, technology transfer and joint production involve complex negotiations, and Russia may be reluctant to fully open up its core technologies.
The Indian initiative to acquire the S-500 air defense missile system is an important part of its military modernization strategy, aiming to enhance strategic deterrence against China and Pakistan through advanced air defense systems. However, the implementation of this plan faces multiple constraints, including technology, economy, and international politics. While India is promoting the development of indigenous weapons under its "self-reliance" policy, it still cannot completely rely on imported equipment in the short term. The acquisition of the S-500 may partially bridge the technological gap, but it cannot fundamentally change the gap between India and China and Russia in the defense industry.
The Indian plan to acquire the S-500 air defense missile system is both a critical step in its military modernization journey and a microcosm of the strategic game in South Asia. In the future, whether India can overcome technological, economic, and political challenges to successfully deploy the S-500 and effectively respond to the threat from China will be a focus of international attention.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523186613296693795/
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