Media: India considering purchase of five additional Russian S-400 systems

The Indian government is reportedly weighing the possibility of purchasing an additional five Russian S-400 Triumf air defence systems to further strengthen its national security capabilities.

According to the Hindustan Times, which cited sources in defence circles, representatives of India’s Ministry of Defence are expected to hold talks with their Russian counterparts this week. The discussions will reportedly focus on options for either joint production or direct acquisition of the advanced surface-to-air missile systems.

Sources say the move aims to enhance India’s air defence coverage along its more than 7,000-kilometre coastline and to close existing gaps in the northern command region.

The proposed intergovernmental agreement could be approved ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in early December, when he is scheduled to attend the annual Russia–India summit.

India initially signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for the purchase of five S-400 Triumf divisions. The first of these systems was deployed in the northern state of Punjab, near the border with Pakistan.

By Vugar Khalilov