In a significant move that underscores the resilience of their long-standing defence partnership, India and Russia are engaged in discussions for the supply of additional regiments of the advanced S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems. The news, reported by Russia's TASS news agency and citing a senior defence export official, signals a continued deepening of military cooperation between the two nations despite complex global pressures.
Dmitry Shugayev, head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, confirmed that negotiations are underway, noting that India is already successfully operating the S-400 systems it previously acquired. This new potential order builds upon a landmark $5.5 billion agreement signed in 2018 for five units of the powerful air defence system. The execution of that initial deal has faced delays, with the final two units now scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027.
A Partnership Unswayed by External Pressure
The talks for more S-400 systems come against a backdrop of steadfast strategic alignment between New Delhi and Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized this point on Wednesday, stating that India did not yield to demands from the United States to cease its purchases from Russia, a stance that Moscow "appreciated." The US has consistently opposed the S-400 deal, citing its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which is designed to punish Russia for its actions.
This defiance underscores a fundamental reality: Russia remains India’s top arms supplier. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 36 per cent of India’s weapons imports between 2020 and 2024 originated from Russia. This decades-long partnership includes major collaborative projects such as the licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI fighter jets, the supply of MiG-29 aircraft and Kamov helicopters, the refurbishment of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the production of AK-203 rifles in India, and the joint development of the BrahMos cruise missile.
The operational effectiveness of the S-400 was notably demonstrated during Operation Sindoor, where the system was credited with intercepting and destroying several incoming missiles from Pakistan.
Strengthening Ties Amid Global Shifts
The defence talks align with a recent vow from both nations to strengthen their strategic ties. This commitment was on full display earlier this week during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
PM Modi, in his opening remarks, told President Putin that the people of India are eagerly waiting to welcome him on a visit scheduled for December. He described the relationship as a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership," noting that "India and Russia have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder even in the most difficult situations."
The meeting, which focused on economic, financial, and energy cooperation, held particular significance as it occurred days after the US announced a doubling of tariffs on certain Indian goods to 50%, including a 25% additional duty on Indian purchases of Russian crude oil.
During their conversation, PM Modi also expressed India's support for recent efforts to establish peace in Ukraine, stating that it is "humanity's call to find a way to end hostilities as soon as possible."
The potential new contract for S-400 systems, coupled with the high-level political engagement, sends a clear message that India and Russia are not only maintaining their historical partnership but are actively taking steps to expand it, navigating a complex web of global geopolitics to serve their mutual national interests.
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