New Delhi: The defence ministry’s top acquisition council on Thursday cleared the purchase of Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems for an estimated Rs 40,000 crore days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by defence minister Manohar Parrikar, has decided to buy five units of the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system, capable of destroying incoming hostile aircraft, missiles, and even drones, within a range of up to 400 km. The DAC also gave the go-ahead to other projects worth over Rs 25,000 crore.

Sources said the step has been taken to enhance national air defence. “The price discovery will happen hereafter,” a source said when, asked how much the system would cost.

Industry estimates have suggested that the missile system will cost about Rs 40,000 crore. India will be the second buyer of the missile system, after China, if the deal goes through. It is expected to be a government-to-government deal and there may be forward movement during Mr Modi’s visit to Russia next week.

The S400 Triumf is designed to bring down flying targets, including those equipped with stealth technologies, at a distance of about 400 km. It is also capable of taking out ballistic missiles and hypersonic targets.

Compared to its predecessor, the S-300, the new S-400 has a 2.5 times faster firing rate and is the most modern air defence system in the Russian arsenal. The DAC gave the “acceptance of necessity” to the Army’s proposal for the purchase of six regiments of the Pinaka rocket system under the “Make in India” category for Rs 14,600 crore.