Talks With India On Further Procurement Of S-400 Air Defence System ‘Ongoing’: Russian Envoy

Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 18:41 IST

Denis Alipov also hailed the “exemplary” performance of S-400 air defence system, and jointly-manufactured BrahMos missiles.

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov. ( X @AmbRus_India)

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov has said that discussions between India and Moscow on the procurement of more S-400 air defence system units are “ongoing” as both countries continue to solidify the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

In an interview with news agency IANS, Alipov said that it would be premature for him to comment anything about the deal.

“Our discussion on this particular topic as on many other is ongoing. It is a continuous one but it would be incorrect for me and premature to speak about the results of this discussion at the moment,” he said.

Alipov also hailed the “exemplary” performance of S-400 air defence system, and jointly-manufactured BrahMos missiles.

“As far as we know, during Operation Sindoor, 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 the news agency.

The S-400 “Triumf” is a highly sophisticated mobile surface-to-air missile system capable of engaging a wide array of aerial targets at long ranges. Its deployment has been a significant strengthening of India’s air defense capabilities. Considered one of the most advanced air defense systems globally, it’s designed to counter a wide array of aerial threats, including stealth aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones, at ranges up to 400 kilometers.

Brahmos An Indian Product

The Russian envoy further asserted that BrahMos missiles are manufactured in India. He said that it is a joint collaboration between New Delhi and Moscow.

“BrahMos missiles are manufactured in India. It is an Indian product, a product of the Joint collaboration with Russia. We have a joint venture designing and producing the these weapons and we have very satisfied with the results of this collaboration. It has very promising prospects. And we wish to expand on that track as on many other that we discuss that in the pipeline or are being implemented already,” he said.

India reportedly unleashed its formidable BrahMos supersonic cruise missile as part of Operation Sindoor in retaliatory precision strikes on Pakistani military bases.

BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed through a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The name ‘BrahMos’ is a portmanteau of the Brahmaputra River of India and the Moskva River of Russia, symbolizing the partnership.

Initially capped at 290 km to comply with Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the range of BrahMos has been extended to 800-900 km for land and ship-based versions after India joined MTCR in 2016. Air-launched versions have a range of 450-500 km.

India-Russia Military Ties

India has longstanding and wide-ranging cooperation with Russia in the field of defence. The cooperation is guided by the IRIGC-M & MTC mechanism, headed by the Defence Ministers of both countries.

New Delhi and Moscow have been involved in several bilateral projects, including the supply of S-400, licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI, supply of MiG-29 and Kamov helicopters, INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), production of Ak-203 rifles in India and BrahMos missiles.

New Delhi and Moscow acknowledge that the military technical cooperation has evolved over time from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research and development, co-development and joint production of advanced defence technology and systems.

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