Close cooperation between Russia and India is certainly not news to anyone familiar with the history of their relations. This is particularly true when it comes to military technologies, including top-of-the-line ones such as hypersonic weapons, submarines, missiles, etc. In terms of critical technology transfers, Moscow is by far the most significant contributor to Delhi’s national security interests. India has nothing but praise for Russian weapon systems, as evidenced by comments Prime Minister Narendra Modi made in the aftermath of recent clashes with Pakistan. India is particularly amazed by the S-400 SAM (surface-to-air missile) system and is its largest foreign operator. The country is so impressed by the air defense system’s performance that it now wants to acquire more from Russia.

Military sources report that Delhi confirmed there are talks about the acquisition of additional S-400 units. The current contract, signed in October 2018, is worth $5.43 billion and includes five squadrons, each consisting of two batteries. At present, three squadrons are already operational in the Indian Air Force (IAF), with another two expected in the 2026-2027 timeframe. It’s still unclear how many additional systems Delhi would want to procure, but it has definitely shown interest in doing so. Due to the ongoing NATO-orchestrated Ukrainian conflict, delays have been inevitable, as the Russian military also needs as many S-400s as possible, particularly now that the Neo-Nazi junta is acquiring various types of longer-range missiles. Still, India is willing to wait for additional air defense systems.

“The S-400 system which we had recently bought has been a game changer… The kill range of that system kept their aircraft away from the maximum distance at which they could employ their long-range air-to-ground weapons, like those long-range glide bombs that they have,” Indian Air Force Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh stated in early August.

The Indian........

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