India and Russia are currently in talks for additional supplies of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, a senior Russian defence export official confirmed to state news agency TASS.
Dmitry Shugayev, who heads Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, stated that India is already an operator of the S-400 system and discussions are underway for further deliveries.
New Delhi had signed a $5.5 billion defence deal with Moscow in 2018 to acquire five S-400 Triumf systems, which were intended to strengthen India’s air defence capabilities against China’s expanding military power. However, the deal has encountered several delays. The final two S-400 units are now expected to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
Commenting on India’s independent stance in global geopolitics, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that India had resisted US pressure to halt purchases from Russia, a decision Moscow "appreciated".
Russia remains India's biggest arms supplier, even though the country has diversified its defence imports in recent years, increasing purchases from nations like France and Israel. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia was responsible for 36 pc of India's total weapons imports between 2020 and 2024.
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India-Russia Defence Cooperation
India and Russia have a decades-long defence partnership that has produced a number of historic projects. These include acquiring the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), producing AK-203 assault rifles in India, supplying MiG-29 fighter jets and Kamov helicopters, producing T-90 battle tanks and Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft under licence, and working together to develop the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system.
India's defence readiness has already benefited greatly from the S-400 system. The S-400 is credited with intercepting and neutralising several incoming missiles during the Indian Armed Forces' successful retaliation against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May.
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