India to get remaining S-400s by 2026: Russia

Four weeks after the Russia-made S-400 air defence system proved its mettle during Operation Sindoor, Moscow is committed to delivering the remaining units of the system to India.

Deputy Chief of Mission in India, Roman Babushkin, told mediapersons on the sidelines of an event today that the contract for the remaining two S-400 units was on track, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2025-26, in line with publicly announced timelines.

India signed a $5.43-billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400 missile system, a state-of-the-art air defence platform capable of engaging multiple aerial threats at long ranges.

Three squadrons have already been delivered. One of them was stationed at Adampur in Punjab and missiles of the S-400 systems brought down several missiles fired by Pakistan during the four-day conflict from May 7 to 10. Babushkin also hinted at expanding bilateral cooperation with India in air defence and anti-drone systems. News agency PTI quoted him as saying, “We heard that the S-400 performed very efficiently during the recent clashes between India and Pakistan.” On the potential expansion of defence collaboration, Babushkin expressed openness to further dialogue. “We are open to the promotion of this partnership…,” he said, highlighting the strategic importance of such cooperation in the current global security environment.

Asked about the possible visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to India, Babushkin said it could “happen this month”. “The exact dates are not yet finalised,” he said. Meanwhile, at the same event, Russia’s Trade Commissioner to India, Andrey Sobolev, said, “Negotiations between India and the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on the free trade agreement should start this year”.

India is already pursuing ambitious trade deals with the US and the European Union. The EEU comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia.

A trade agreement with the bloc will give India access to a resource-rich region, while also creating opportunities for Indian exports such as electronics and engineering goods. The Russian side was looking to use the ports of Chabahar or Bandar Abbass in Iran to access the Indian market, an official said.