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NEW DELHI: With ties between India and Russia growing stronger, New Delhi has urged Moscow to accelerate the delivery of the S-400 air defence missile systems.
Russia has informed India that due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, the delivery of the fourth and fifth squadrons of the S-400 systems will be postponed until March 2026 and October 2026 respectively.
India and Russia signed a contract in 2019 to purchase five squadrons of the advanced air defense system, which can combat threats up to 400 kilometers away.
“India has requested Russia during recent talks to accelerate deliveries to meet the needs Indian Air Force “We need to adjust the requirements and potentially shorten the timelines,” defense officials said.
The Russian side has assured India that they will consider the request.
So far, Russia has delivered three of these air defense systems, which are operational and have been deployed along the borders with China and Pakistan.
The remaining two squadrons were originally scheduled for delivery in 2024, but there have been delays due to internal issues in Russia and the conflict in Ukraine.
India has strategically positioned these missiles to counter air attacks from enemy aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
The Indian Air Force, which recently received the Indian MR-SAM and Akash missile systems, as well as the Israeli Spyder rapid-response surface-to-air missile systems, sees the S-400 as a significant upgrade to its capabilities.
In recent years, the Indian Air Force has significantly strengthened its air defenses.
The Indian Air Force has also started Project ‘Kusha’, an initiative to develop an indigenous long-range air defence system using the DRDO.
China has deployed air defence systems on a large scale along the Line of Actual Control, prompting India to also deploy its own systems to counter potential threats.
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister said Narendra Modi Visited Moscow and met President Vladimir PutinThe two leaders discussed the improvement military joint ventures for the production and maintenance of various weapons systems, further strengthening the close relationship between the two countries.
Russia has informed India that due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, the delivery of the fourth and fifth squadrons of the S-400 systems will be postponed until March 2026 and October 2026 respectively.
India and Russia signed a contract in 2019 to purchase five squadrons of the advanced air defense system, which can combat threats up to 400 kilometers away.
“India has requested Russia during recent talks to accelerate deliveries to meet the needs Indian Air Force “We need to adjust the requirements and potentially shorten the timelines,” defense officials said.
The Russian side has assured India that they will consider the request.
So far, Russia has delivered three of these air defense systems, which are operational and have been deployed along the borders with China and Pakistan.
The remaining two squadrons were originally scheduled for delivery in 2024, but there have been delays due to internal issues in Russia and the conflict in Ukraine.
India has strategically positioned these missiles to counter air attacks from enemy aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
The Indian Air Force, which recently received the Indian MR-SAM and Akash missile systems, as well as the Israeli Spyder rapid-response surface-to-air missile systems, sees the S-400 as a significant upgrade to its capabilities.
In recent years, the Indian Air Force has significantly strengthened its air defenses.
The Indian Air Force has also started Project ‘Kusha’, an initiative to develop an indigenous long-range air defence system using the DRDO.
China has deployed air defence systems on a large scale along the Line of Actual Control, prompting India to also deploy its own systems to counter potential threats.
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister said Narendra Modi Visited Moscow and met President Vladimir PutinThe two leaders discussed the improvement military joint ventures for the production and maintenance of various weapons systems, further strengthening the close relationship between the two countries.
