Russia has started the delivery of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system to India ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s official visit to India next month, according to the director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev.
The S-400 air defence missile units will give a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, especially around the borders. The first of these units will be deployed around the western front, according to Hindustan Times.
Speaking at the Dubai Airshow, Dmitry Shugaev said "the supplies of the S-400 air defence system to India have started and are proceeding on schedule.”
The first batch of squadrons has already started reaching India, according to ANI sources. This squadron will be put near the Pakistan-China border area to prevent any immediate airspace threat that the neighbouring countries possess.
The news agency reported citing the people mentioned above that system is being brought to India through both sea and air routes. The first squadron deliveries are expected to be complete by the end of this year.
The air defence system is capable of covering 400km of airspace area. Furthermore, the S400 missile system is equipped with four different which can engage enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) planes at 400km, 250km, the medium-range 120km and the short-range 40km.
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India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia for five S-400 regiments in October 2018 and officials have said that all deliveries are to be completed within five years. The first batch is expected to reach India by the end of 2021.
Putin last visited India in 2018 for the annual summit. Interestingly, it was during that visit, the contract for the S400 system was signed between India and Russia. The visit by the Russian president will be his second only foreign visit this year, the first one being to Geneva for a summit-level meeting with US President Joe Biden.
