Top defence ministry officials of India are expected to meet defence officials from Russia to discuss the deal for the S-400 air defence systems. The meeting is expected to discuss either joint manufacture or outright purchase of five more S-400 air defence systems from Moscow to enhance India’s long-range defensive capabilities.
India–Russia S-400 Talks Set to Strengthen Air Defence
The deal is expected to be signed before Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India on December 5 for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Two of the five S-400 systems worth $5.43 billion will be delivered by 2026 end. The deal was signed back in October 5, 2018.
India and Russia are also talking about the purchase of another five systems to protect against any attack across the country’s 7,000 km-plus coastline and to plug the air defense gaps in the Northern Command Area. The two sides have already agreed on the cost of the additional five systems with annual escalation from the 2018 price.
The modalities are not final yet, but there is a possibility that three of the five systems will be purchased immediately, and the remaining will be built by Indian private sector companies under the transfer of technology route.
Upgrades to Su-30MKI and Missile Capabilities
It will be a government-to-government deal with maintenance, repair, and overall facilities set up in collaboration with the Indian private sector. They added that reports of India buying the S-500 system are incorrect, as such a system is still on the drawing board in Russia. India is also looking for an RVV-BD, a more than 200 km range air-to-air missile from Russia to make its Su-30MKI fleet more potent, as even Pakistan is operating a Chinese-built 200 km range PL-15 air-to-air missile and used it against India during Operation Sindhu.
Journalist: Will India buy more S-400 missile defence systems from Russia?
Air Force Chief: The S400 has performed well. There is no limit to how many of these you can buy. But I am keeping quiet about our plans. pic.twitter.com/1ElAfmkd7b
— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) October 3, 2025
The Russian R-37 missile or RVV-BD will have to be integrated into the Su-30MKI with the upgradation of the onboard radar of the Russian development fighter. IAEA Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh has indicated the possibility of acquiring the Su-57, a Russian fifth-generation fighter. The government is still taking a view on the US F-35 fighter jets as well.
India believes S-400 air defense missile systems helped India against the aerial attacks from Pakistan in May 2025.
“Obviously, that has done good. So, there’s a requirement to have more such (systems); there is no limit to numbers that you can buy. Again, I’m keeping quiet on what the plan (is) whether we want to buy more, how much etc,” he said.
“It has proved to be a good weapon system. We have our own system also being developed. So we will take a call on that,” he said.
Rising Political and Military Rhetoric Against Pakistan
India has been swiftly enhancing its defense capabilities in recent weeks, accompanied by increasingly assertive statements from its leadership directed at Pakistan. This combination of rapid military modernization and aggressive rhetoric has raised questions about New Delhi’s strategic intentions and whether a new phase of regional tension is unfolding.
At the political level, senior Indian leaders have made provocative remarks about Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir and the Sir Creek region. Statements from figures such as Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat have intensified the rhetoric, signaling a more assertive national security posture.
The Indian Army Chief had threatened Pakistan that its geographical existence will be attacked if it does not stop supporting terrorism. During his visit to an army post in Rajasthan, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Divedi delivered a blunt message, stating:
“If Pakistan wants to retain its place on the world map, it must immediately end state-sponsored terrorism.”
Read more: Agni Prime Missile: India’s strong message to Pakistan, China?
He added that if Pakistan wants to retain its place on the map, it must stop state-sponsored terrorism, signalling that India will not show restraint in the second version of Operation Sindoor, as it showed in Operation Sundoor-1.
“This time, we will not maintain the restraint that we had in Operation Sindoor 1.0. This time, we will do something that will make Pakistan think whether it wants to retain its place in geography or not. If Pakistan wants to retain its place in geography, then it must stop state-sponsored terrorism,” he said at an army post in Rajasthan.
In September, India successfully conducted the flight test of its new-generation Agni Prime intermediate-range ballistic missile. The missile was launched from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher for the first time, “under a full operational scenario.”
The system can move freely on the rail network, enabling cross-country mobility, rapid reaction capability, and low-visibility deployment for a strike range up to 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles),” the ministry said.
Taken together, India’s stepped-up defense procurement, assertive military signaling, and heightened rhetoric suggest that South Asia may be entering a new phase of strategic competition, where both nuclear-armed neighbors are operating under increased alert levels.
From GVS South Asia News Desk