Russia supplies S-400 to India amid warfare

NEW DELHI: Russia has begun fresh deliveries of S-400 Triumf air defence systems that will constitute the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) second squadron of the weapon amid the ongoing Ukraine war and Washington’s attempts to wean India away from its dependence on Russian military hardware, two senior government officials familiar with the development said on Friday, asking not to be named.

“These are ongoing deliveries as part of the contract signed with Russia four years ago. The deliveries are on schedule,” said one of the officials cited above. The first elements of the S-400 air defence missile systems were supplied by Russia last December.

India ordered five S-400 missile systems from Russia for ₹39,000 crore in October 2018. The S-400 is capable of destroying a variety of aerial threats,

New deliveries of S-400 missile systems have started, despite Russia’s engagements amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and complications stemming from sanctions on Moscow

S-400 Triumf air defence systems; Cost: ₹39,000 crore

Russia is expected to complete all deliveries by 2023

S-400 is one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems, capable of destroying a variety of aerial threats

and secretary of state Antony J Blinken for the 2+2 dialogue earlier this week.

In an interview to HT, Singh said the US was aware that India and Russia are “natural allies” and enjoy stable ties, but at the same time, India would not allow its relationship with a third country to adversely affect the US’s “core national interests”.

“There were apprehensions that there may be delays in S-400 supplies from Russia due to the Ukraine war. But ground and test equipment, simulators and other hardware that form the S-400 air defence systems have started flowing in. This is a reassurance that there will be no disruption in supplies,” said Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.

He said the S-400 system is a game-changer in air defence in the region.

The complications stemming