India in talks with Russia to acquire 5 more S-400s, star of Operation Sindoor: Report

The discussions come as part of preparations ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 5.

India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia in October 2018 for five units of the S-400 Triumf missile systems, despite warnings from the United States that the contract could trigger sanctions under its Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

So far, three squadrons have been delivered, while the remaining two are expected to arrive by the end of 2026.

The S-400 systems demonstrated their effectiveness during Operation Sindoor, successfully deterring aerial threats and surviving repeated targeting attempts by Pakistani forces using Chinese long-range weapons.

Such was the fear of the S-400 system, according to HT, that Pakistan had to move all its air assets beyond 300 km from the Indian border, with hardly any aircraft getting airborne on May 10.

The two sides are now in talks for an additional five systems to strengthen air defence coverage across India’s 7,000-km-plus coastline and to address gaps in the northern command region, according to the report.

Both sides have reportedly agreed on the cost of the new systems, which will include an annual escalation from the 2018 price.

While modalities are still being finalised, discussions include the option of purchasing three systems outright and producing the remaining two through Indian private sector companies under a transfer of technology arrangement.

The proposed deal, expected to be concluded through a government-to-government route, will also include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities in partnership with the domestic industry.

When asked about the possible acquisition last week, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh neither confirmed nor denied plans for additional purchases.

“Obviously, that has done good. So, there’s a requirement to have more such (systems); there is no limit to numbers that you can buy,” he said at a recent press conference.

“It has proved to be a good weapon system. We have our own system also being developed. So we will take a call on that,” he added.