Islamabad, The accidental destruction of a Russian A-50U AWACS military plane by Russia’s own S-400 missile system over the Sea of Azov has raised significant concerns for India, currently engaged in acquiring similar S-400 missiles and other modern weapons from Russia and various world powers.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the A-50U AWACS, a four-engine jet valued at around $300 million, was designed to survey airspace up to 400 kilometers and is equipped with advanced electronics. This incident, occurring on Sunday, is considered one of the most severe aerial losses for Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian War. With only an estimated 10 to 15 A-50s in the Russian air force and none exported, the loss is significant.

The Kremlin had not issued an official statement regarding the incident as of midday Monday. However, Russian military bloggers claim that the S-400 ADS battery mistakenly identified and shot down the A-50U AWACS and damaged another IL-22M command/ELINT aircraft.

This development has led political analysts to question whether India, with less advanced technology compared to Russia, can manage similar risks. They suggest that instead of continuing an arms race, India should pursue peaceful dialogue to resolve issues with Pakistan and focus on improving the welfare of its citizens.