India News : During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the delivery of additional S-400 missile defense systems. According to Russian media reports citing senior defense official Dmitry Shugayev, fresh shipments are now under consideration.
India had signed a $5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five S-400 Triumph long-range surface-to-air missile defense systems. So far, Russia has delivered three units, while the remaining two are scheduled for 2026 and 2027. Talks on new deliveries are seen as a strategic move, potentially challenging U.S. policies. Washington had previously warned of sanctions against countries purchasing advanced Russian weapons.
Recently, PM Modi emphasized that India and Russia have always stood by each other in difficult times, while President Putin called Modi a “dear friend.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also praised India for resisting U.S. pressure to cut oil imports from Moscow. These developments highlight the deepening India-Russia partnership, which poses a strategic challenge to the U.S.
The S-400 system is considered vital for India’s national security. Integrated with the Indian Air Force’s command and control network (IACCS), it can target enemy fighter jets, bombers, drones, cruise missiles, and spy aircraft at ranges of 120–380 km. Each S-400 squadron includes two missile batteries with 128 missiles, long-range radars, and mobile launchers.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia accounted for 36% of India’s arms imports between 2020 and 2024, followed by France (33%) and Israel (13%), underscoring India’s continued reliance on Russian defense systems.
