Russia starts production of S-400 for India

New Delhi, January 17

Russia on Friday said it has started production of S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile systems for India and all the five units will be delivered by 2025.

Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin also said a contract would shortly be finalised for joint production of Kamov light weight multi-role military helicopters for India.

At a joint press conference with Russian Ambassador Nikolai Kudashev, he also said Indian Armed forces will receive the first batch of 5,000 Kalashnikov rifles this year which will be produced in India under a joint venture.

Babushkin said Russia and India have “successfully found solutions” to the payment issues and the focus this year will be to implement mega deals in the defence sector.

“The supply of five S-400 air defence systems will be completed by 2025. Their production has already started,” he said without elaborating.

In October 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal to buy the air defence missile systems notwithstanding warning from the Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions. Asserting that the S-400 air defence missile systems are among best in the world, he said they will significantly bolster India’s air defence mechanism. — PTI