Moscow: Russia has started the delivery of the S-400 surface-to-air (ground-launched) missile system to India. This information has been given by Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the Federal Services for Russian Military and Technical Cooperation (FSMTC). Along with this, he has also told me that the delivery process is going on as per the plan. It is reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit India in December. In such a situation, it is expected that during that time India can get the first consignment of S-400 missiles.
The S-400 missile is already being used in China and Turkey. India and Russia signed an agreement in October 2018 for the delivery of the S-400 missile. In August, Alexander Mikheev, the head of Rosoboronexport, told Sputnik that talks were underway with 7 countries to supply the S-400 air defense systems. He told that these countries belong to the Middle East, Asia Pacific region, and Africa.
According to the report of the Hindustan Times, it is expected that Putin can come to New Delhi in the second week of December. During this, he can attend the annual summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is believed that during this conference, India and Russia can repeat their military-technical cooperation for 2021-21. Apart from this, there is news that many agreements can be signed in the program regarding security, business, and science and technology.
India has signed an agreement with Russia for five S-400 systems for $ 5400 million. However, the US warned that the deal could lead to second-class sanctions under Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions (CAATSA). Many soldiers of the Heavy Air Force have received training in Russia to operate the S-400.
The special thing is that the Indian Air Force will first induct the S-400 system into the army at a time when India is facing tension with China on the border. The Chinese side has deployed two S-400 squadrons at Xinjiang’s Hotan Airbase and Tibet’s Ningchi Airbase. According to retired Air Marshal Anil Chopra, the S-400 systems will enhance the capability of the Indian Air Force.
