Russian President Putin’s India Visit Poised To Revive Major Defence Deals With New S-400 Offer On Table | India News

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4-5 for the 23rd Annual Summit, which will be India’s first visit to New Delhi since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war and Operation Sindoor. While defense cooperation is expected to dominate his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Moscow is expected to put a new proposal for additional S-400 air defense regiments at the top of its agenda. The visit is considered as a reaffirmation of the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries.

Russia has reportedly offered to supply two or three more S-400 regiments to the Indian Air Force. The offer comes at a time when India, although increasingly diversifying its military procurement, continues to rely heavily on Russian-origin equipment, estimated to now constitute 60-70 per cent of its arsenal.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia’s share in India’s arms imports has fallen from 76 percent in 2009 to 36 percent in 2024; This reflects New Delhi’s determined drive towards indigenization under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and growing arms partnerships with France and the US.

Despite this change, the depth of Indo-Russian defense cooperation remains significant. Joint programs include production lines for the S-400 system, the BrahMos cruise missile, T-90 tanks and MiG-29 fighter jets, Kamov helicopters, T-72 tanks, BMP-2 armored vehicles and Navy stealth frigates. The joint development of the BrahMos missile and the AK-203 rifle is a demonstration of enduring technological partnership.

Operation Sindoor in May underlined the operational value of the S-400, nicknamed “Sudarshan Chakra” by the Indian Air Force. While an S-400 unit at Adampur reportedly shot down a Pakistani aircraft from a range of 314 kilometers, the IAF confirmed that the system had neutralized seven Pakistani aircraft and tracked more than 300 air targets simultaneously. It was emphasized that the ability to rapidly deploy in under five minutes is an important tactical advantage. The integration of the system along the borders of China and Pakistan has significantly strengthened India’s multi-layered air defense network.

According to sources, Russia’s state-owned defense company Rostec has opened preliminary talks on a new S-400 contract and has assured India that future deliveries will be completed as planned; this was a priority for New Delhi after previous delays linked to the conflict in Ukraine. Of India’s original US$5.43 billion deal for five S-400 regiments, three have been delivered, with delivery of the remaining two scheduled for early to mid-2026.

A striking feature of Russia’s new offer is the offer of up to 50 percent technology transfer for S-400 missiles and support systems. This could potentially allow Indian manufacturers, including Bharat Dynamics Limited, to assemble components locally and accelerate production of the 48N6 missile, which was approved for domestic production in October. Officials suggest that almost half of the S-400 support ecosystem could be localized, reducing costs and significantly strengthening India’s domestic defense capabilities.

Although Russia remains India’s largest defense supplier, its share in New Delhi’s imports has fallen sharply, from 72 percent in 2010-2014 to 55 percent in 2015-2019 and now 36 percent for 2020-2024, according to the 2025 SIPRI report. The decline reflects India’s diversification strategy and its intention to avoid over-dependence on any one country.

Both sides are expected to accelerate negotiations on the expanded S-400 package and other joint programs during Putin’s visit, and agreements are expected to be signed by mid-2026.