India is set to approve procurement of five Russian S-400 air defense systems

NEW DELHI (India) – Indian Defence Ministry has approved the purchase of five Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems.

The forthcoming deal, estimated to be worth around $6 billion (400 billion rupees), also covers the purchase of about 6,000 missiles, a mobile launcher and a radar station, according to Indian news media.

Indian Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has assented to the procurement of five Russian S-400 air defense systems during a meeting under the chairmanship of Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Indian media reported.

The procurement of five S-400 systems, as the Hindustan Times reports, will be discussed during the December 23-24 visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia, with a joint statement on the issue to be made after the planned meeting between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

India will be the second buyer of the missile system after China if the deal goes through. Industry estimates have suggested that the missile system will cost about Rs 40,000 crore.

Indian Defense Ministry sources said that the step has been taken to enhance the national air defence capacity.

India remains the largest importer of Russian weapons. Russian-and Soviet-made arms account for about 70 percent of the Indian defense forces’ total arsenal, according to the Center for Analyses of World Arms Trade. Russian military deliveries to India amounted to $4.7 billion in 2014 according to Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.

The S-400 is a medium and long-range air defense system, capable of neutralizing modern and advanced air and space attacks at the distance up to 400 km.The S400 Triumf is designed to knock down flying targets including those equipped with stealth technologies.