The S-400 air defence missile system is likely to give India an edge over China and Pakistan as it will virtually seal the airspace around India for any enemy to carry out an attack
New Delhi: India and Russia have inked the crucial Rs 39,000-crore S-400 Triumf air defence system deal, besides signing another major deal of buying four warships of the Krivak class worth Rs 15,000 crore.
MyNation was first to report that India and Russia were all set to ink defence deals worth over Rs 50,000 crore during the ongoing visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The S-400 missile deal has been signed by the government despite being under pressure from the United States as there were possibilities of the imposition of sanctions over buying Russian weaponry. The five S-400 missile systems would be deployed by the Indian Air Force along the Pakistan and China international borders and can take down enemy aircraft, missiles and drones at a range of 400 kilometres.
The air defence missile system is likely to give India an edge over China and Pakistan as it will virtually seal the airspace around India for any enemy to carry out an attack.
Besides, the ₹15,000-crore deal for buying four Talwar Class-follow on warships for the Indian Navy are likely to increase the Navy’s firepower as the advanced vessels fitted with BrahMos missiles would help in meeting the shortage of vessels in the force.
Sources said two warships would be built in Russia and two would be under the Make in India programme by the Goa Shipyard Limited, which was nominated as the partner by the Defence Ministry in 2016.
Private shipyards such as Pipavav Shipyard were also keen to take part in the project but the government had decided to involve only PSUs for the project.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) including Railways, space, nuclear power, have been exchanged between India and Russia.
Narendra Modi, while delivering a joint statement with Putin, said that Russia has always been an integral part in India’s growth and it is beneficial for both the countries to support struggle against terrorism and climate change.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that both the countries will continue supporting international organisations like SCO, BRICS, G20 and ASEAN.
Putin invited Narendra Modi to participate as the main guest in the next Vladivostok Forum.
The US was guarded in its first response to the India-Russia defence pact. The US embassy said that its sanctions were aimed exclusively at Russia and not at denting the military capabilities of its 'allies or partners'. The US didn't say whether it will give the India-Russia deal a presidential waiver, choosing to rather treat it on a transaction-by-transaction basis.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.