India News : Russia is preparing to make a major defence offer to India involving its two advanced weapon systems — the S-500 Prometheus air defence and anti-ballistic missile system and the Su-57 Felon stealth fighter jet. The proposal is expected to be discussed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi this month.
The development comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin met in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The proposed offer comes at a time when India is strengthening its air defence and fighter aircraft capabilities while also focusing on reducing dependence on foreign weapons and promoting self-reliance.
India’s Position on the Su-57
Russia’s offer comes at a time when India has already made its position clear on fifth-generation fighter aircraft. India is focusing on the development of its indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), rather than buying a fifth-generation fighter from another country.
The Su-57 is therefore likely to be considered in the context of India’s own fifth-generation fighter programme.
S-500 at the Centre of Russia’s Offer
The S-500 Prometheus is at the centre of Russia’s proposed air defence cooperation with India. Moscow describes it as its newest long-range air and missile defence system and is positioning it as a possible next step in India-Russia air defence cooperation.
India already operates Russia’s S-400 air defence system. Russia is seeking to build on the existing cooperation surrounding the S-400 by offering the more advanced S-500 system.
Russia Also Offers Five More S-400 Squadrons
Just before Modi’s meeting with Putin in Bishkek, the Russian government reportedly made a fresh proposal to supply five additional S-400 squadrons to India. This would be double the number covered under the earlier contract.
The proposal has emerged at a time when India has begun testing the early components of its indigenous long-range air defence programme, Project Kusha. The programme aims to develop an Indian alternative to systems in the S-400 class.
India’s Indigenous Defence Programmes
India’s air defence strategy also includes its own Ballistic Missile Defence programme, which has reached an advanced stage. At the same time, Project Kusha is aimed specifically at developing a domestically produced long-range air defence capability.
As a result, any decision on the S-500 would have to take into account the systems India is already developing, as well as the years of investment, technical work and resources committed to these indigenous programmes.
The proposed Russian offer therefore comes at a significant stage in India’s efforts to strengthen its air defence and combat aircraft capabilities while expanding domestic defence production.
