India has started deploying its S-400 air defence missile system in the Punjab sector.
“The first S-400 air defence missile system squadron is being deployed in the Punjab sector,” India Today reported quoting top government sources as having said.
Russia has started supplying the S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India, the first unit of which will be deployed near the western front.
The announcement was made by the Director of Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev at the Dubai air show. FSMTC is the Russian government’s main defence export control organisation.
Industry sources claim the first parts of the squadron have already started reaching India, and they would be deployed to a location where it can take on threats from both Pakistan and Chinese airspace.
According to sources, the parts of the missile systems are coming via both air and sea routes and would be quickly deployed in the designated locations.
“The first squadron delivery would be completed by the end of this year and after its deployment, the Indian Air Force would start focusing towards the eastern front,” they said.
The IAF would also dedicate some of the resources to training its personnel within the country.
Sources said that such move by India is to escalate tension and threat to China and Pakistan and deployment of missiles will create more tense atmosphere in the region.