Defence Agenda: What’s Happening
During Putin’s visit, Defence Ministers Rajnath Singh and Andrey Belousov will meet (December 4, New Delhi).
Key agenda items include:
(A) S-400 Air Defence System
• India had ordered 5 S-400 units.
• 3 units already delivered.
• Remaining 2 units to be delivered in 2026 and 2027.
• India is setting up a domestic Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) facility for the S-400.
(B) Possible Acquisition of S-500
• India is exploring the possibility of acquiring Russia’s next-generation S-500 system, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles up to 600 km and airborne targets up to 400 km.
Agenda includes studying:
• S-500 acquisition
• Additional S-400 units
• Strengthening joint defence development, especially in shipbuilding and weapons systems.
