Russia begins starts delivery S-400 missiles to India; Read details here-
The delivery of the S-400 missile weapons system was expected to begin before the end of this year. The delivery of parts has already begun through sea and air routes.
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New Delhi, Nov 15: In a big boost to India’s air-defense capabilities, Russia has started supplying the S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India, the first unit of which will be deployed near the western front. The announcement was made by the Director of Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev in Dubai air show. FSMTC is the Russian government’s main defence export control organisation.
"Russia has started delivering the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India, the deliveries are going as planned," Sputnik, the Russian news agency, reported. "The supplies of the S-400 air defence system to India have started and are proceeding on schedule," the agency quoted Dmitry Shugaev as saying.
However, there was no official word from the Indian side. The delivery of the S-400 missile weapons system was expected to begin before the end of this year. The delivery of parts has already begun through sea and air routes. India had bought the system for over US$ 5 billion in 2018, in a deal that became contentious amid a threat of sanctions from the US on countries engaging in defence deals with Russia. Apart from that, India had bought five units of the system in 2018, and had made the first tranche of the payment, $800 million, a year later.
Also Read: 'Unlikely to get any waiver': US warns India against acquiring Russian S-400 missile
The S-400 is among the most advanced air-defence systems in the world, with a range of around 400 km. It is capable of protecting its air defence bubble against rockets, missiles, cruise missiles and even aircraft. The system is already available with China, which has deployed it along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh amid the 18-month military standoff.
Also Read: 'Unlikely to get any waiver': US warns India against acquiring Russian S-400 missile
Speaking to reporters last month, Chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Marshal V R Chaudhari, had said that the first S-400 unit would be inducted this year, as per the contract. The US had imposed sanctions on Turkey in December 2020 over its purchase of the same system. Last month, two US senators had reportedly written to US President Joe Biden, urging his administration to waive any sanctions against India over the purchase.