Defense Deal: India and Russia Negotiating for More S-400 Missile Systems

A recent announcement indicates that India and Russia are in negotiations regarding the potential acquisition of additional S-400 missile systems. The discussions focus on expanding the existing military-technical cooperation, which could result in further deliveries of the sophisticated air defense platform. This comes as India already utilizes the S-400. This follows a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin during the SCO summit in China. In 2018, India agreed to a $5.43 billion deal for five S-400 squadrons, with three squadrons having already been delivered. The system, called “Sudarshan Chakra” in India, is designed to intercept missiles and drones, having demonstrated its capabilities in recent conflicts. The final two units are scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027.