India is in talks with Russia to procure more S-400 surface-to-air missile systems after the delivery of the remaining two systems by 2026-27.
Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Director Dmitry Shugayev said on Tuesday, "As is known, India has our S-400 system. There is an opportunity to expand cooperation in this sector as well. It means new supplies. So far, we are negotiating this."
Shugayev also pointed out that India-Russia cooperation could be furthered in the supplying of Su-57 fighter aircraft. News reports indicate that India is actually interested in procuring more S-400 units.
The S-400 system has been referred to as a "game changer" by Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, especially during Operation Sindoor. The operation included Indian strikes within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from May 6-10 after the April 22 terrorist strike in Pahalgam.
Talks on acquiring more S-400 systems as well as cooperation on other defence platforms were held when National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited Moscow in August, it is learnt. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin also discussed ways to deepen the defence industry partnership between the two countries on Monday.
India in 2018 had inked a $5.5 billion agreement with Russia to receive five S-400 Triumf systems. Although the remaining two systems' delivery has been held up because of the Ukraine conflict, Russia has committed they will be delivered by 2026.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that India had not yielded to U.S. pressure to halt purchases from Russia, adding that Moscow “appreciated” India’s stance.
The three primary components of the S-400 system are missile launchers, a high-powered radar, and a command post. It can intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and even intermediate-range ballistic missiles with great speed. Its radar can detect targets at a distance of 600 km, which can destroy almost all current-day warplanes.
