S-400 and Tunguska Air Defense Systems: India to Purchase $25 Billion Worth of Weapons

The Indian government has approved a large-scale procurement package for military equipment and weapons with a total value of approximately $25 billion (2.38 trillion rupees).

The decision was made by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to Reuters.

The country is accelerating the modernization of its armed forces to replenish resources following the conflict with Pakistan and amid ongoing tensions along the border with China.

The new defense procurement package covers all branches of the military. In particular, the Indian Air Force will receive additional Russian S-400 air defense missile systems, medium transport aircraft, and strike drones.

A separate item in the program provides for the overhaul and modernization of engines for Su-30MKI fighters, which form the backbone of the country’s air fleet.

For the ground forces, plans include the procurement of Dhanush artillery systems, armor-piercing shells for tanks, and powerful radio relay communication systems.

In addition, the army signed a contract with Rosoboronexport to purchase Tunguska anti-aircraft gun-missile systems worth $47 million.

The Coast Guard will be reinforced with new hovercraft. A significant portion of the contracts will be fulfilled by Indian companies as part of a strategy of self-sufficiency in the defense sector.

These orders complement the $40 billion package approved last month, which included French Rafale fighter jets and American Boeing P-8I patrol aircraft.

In total, for the current fiscal year ending March 31, New Delhi has approved 55 defense proposals worth over $71 billion, setting an all-time record for the country.

Earlier, Militarnyi reported that the Indian Defence Procurement Council approved the purchase of 288 anti-aircraft missiles for the S-400 Triumph systems, which the country had previously purchased from Russia.

The deal covers the purchase of 120 short-range missiles and 168 long-range missiles.