Even powerful air defense systems like the S-400 may need additional protection against small drones. To this end, India is eyeing Russia's Pantsir-S1, which can intercept enemy aerial threats with cannon and missiles.
India is considering 13 Russian Pantsir systems to protect its S-400 batteries and forward formations, as the threat of cheap drones increases pressure on its interceptor stockpile, radar readiness and layered air defense resilience.