India Is Considering Purchasing Russian S-400 and S-500 Air Defense Systems

India is considering the purchase of additional Russian S-400 Triumph and S-500 Prometheus air defense missile systems.

The Print reported this, citing sources in the Indian Ministry of Defense.

The 2018 contract for five S-400 systems contained an option for five more systems.

This allows New Delhi to purchase additional units at the same price or consider changes in the exchange rate and inflation.

The need for new air defense systems, including the S-400 and S-500, is currently being considered by India’s Defense Minister as a possibility.

Russia has not yet delivered the last two S-400 systems, but has promised to fulfill the contract by next September.

At the same time, New Delhi recognizes that the delivery time depends on the development of the war against Ukraine, which is being closely monitored there.

These reports come amidst information about Moscow’s proposal to supply India with fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets to replace the US F-35.

Earlier, India had already expressed interest in the Su-57. In particular, a joint FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) program based on this aircraft was considered.

However, in 2018, New Delhi refused to participate in the project, stating that the Su-57 did not meet the requirements for stealth.

This is especially significant given that India has informed the United States that it has no interest in purchasing F-35A fighters.

Initially, New Delhi seriously considered this possibility but eventually refused, opting for alternative formats of military-technical cooperation, which may signal a shift in the direction of defense cooperation towards Russia.