S-400 systems. FILE IMAGE: Alexey Malgavko / Sputnik
Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov confirmed to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) on May 30 that talks are ongoing on the supply of more S-400 long-range air defense systems to the Indian military.
Alipov cited various reports about the outstanding performance of the S-400 in the recent confrontation between India and Pakistan.
The confrontation was sparked by the April 22 terrorist attack on Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi blamed Islamabad for the incident.
The situation escalated on May 7 following deadly Indian retaliatory strikes against Pakistan. The two counties exchanged strikes along the Line of Control, the de-facto borders in the disputed region of Kashmir, as well as over the internationally-recognized border for the next three days. A ceasefire was reached on May 10.
Indian media credited the S-400 with repelling several Pakistani drone and missile attacks, including one that targeted an air base where one such system was deployed.
“From what we know, India has clearly stated the goals and undertook actions after having identified the targets and the terrorists it promised to do. As far as we know, during the operation, the S-400 system was used and the BrahMos missiles were engaged. Judging by the reports available, the performance of these weapons was exemplary,” Alipov told IANS.
“Our discussion, on this particular topic, as on many others, is ongoing. It is a continuous one, but it would be incorrect for me and also premature to speak about the results of it at the moment,” the ambassador continued.
“We have a joint venture, designing and producing these weapons. We are very satisfied with the results of this collaboration. It has very promising prospects. And, we wish to expand on that track, as on many others that we discussed are in the pipeline or are being implemented already,” he added.
The S-400 is the main pillar of India’s air defense network. Under a $5.43 billion deal signed in 2018, the country received four squadrons of the system from Russia. Each squadron is composed of two batteries. Each battery, or firing unit, is equipped with six launchers, a radar and a control center with 128 missiles. A squadron has a total of 16 vehicles.
Today, the Indian military has 60 launchers and around 6,000 missiles, including 9M96E2 with a range of 120 kilometers, 48N6E2 with a range of 200 kilometers, 48N6E3 with a range of 240 kilometers and 40N6E which can engage targets as far as 380 kilometers.
A new S-400 deal will further solidify India’s air defense network and affirm Russia’s position as one of the main military partners of the country.
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