Russia begins S-400 production for India

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 20

Russia said it had started the production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India with all five units scheduled to be delivered by 2025.

India’s purchase of the S-400 system has not been like by the US which has a law that prohibits transfer of Russian military equipment to other countries. Some Chinese officials and companies have already been sanctioned by the US after Beijing bought similar S-400 systems from Russia.

Speaking to the media, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said Russia and India have successfully found solutions to the payment issues to escape scrutiny or interception by the US. Russia had inked the $5 billion deal in October 2018 and India concretised it with an upfront payment of $800 million.

Babushkin was hopeful that the contract for joint production of Kamov light weight multi-role military helicopters in India will be finalised shortly.