Four weeks after ਭਾਰਤ successfully used the Russian-made S-400 air defence system during Operation Sindoor, Russia has confirmed it will deliver the remaining units of the system on time.
Roman Babushkin, Deputy ਮੁੱਖ of Mission at the Russian Embassy in ਭਾਰਤ, told journalists that the contract for the last two S-400 units is on track. Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2025-26, as planned earlier.
ਭਾਰਤ had signed a \$5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 to buy five squadrons of the S-400 missile system, which can detect and shoot down multiple aerial threats from a long distance.
So far, three squadrons have already been delivered. One of them was stationed in Adampur, ਪੰਜਾਬ, and played a key role during the recent four-day conflict with Pakistan from May 7 to 10. It successfully intercepted several missiles fired by Pakistan.
Babushkin praised the performance of the S-400 and said Russia is open to strengthening its defence partnership with ਭਾਰਤ, including cooperation in air defence and anti-drone technology.
When asked about the expected visit of Russian Foreign ਮੰਤਰੀ Sergey Lavrov to ਭਾਰਤ, Babushkin said it might happen this month, but the exact dates are still being finalised.
At the same event, Russia’s Trade Commissioner to ਭਾਰਤ, Andrey Sobolev, shared that negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between ਭਾਰਤ and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) are expected to begin this year. The EEU includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia.
This deal could give ਭਾਰਤ better access to a region rich in natural resources and open new export opportunities for Indian products like electronics and engineering goods. Russia is also considering using Iran’s Chabahar or Bandar Abbas ports to reach Indian markets more easily.
