"The Indian Air Force is looking to buy a large number of S-400 missiles to further enhance air defense capabilities. Discussions with the Russian side on this issue have been held," many defense sources said.
According to Indian media, the total value of the contract could be up to 100 billion rupees (about 1.1 billion USD). The Indian Ministry of National Defense may consider the Indian Air Force's proposal at the upcoming meeting of the National Defense Procurement Council, scheduled for October 23.
The bulletin said that the purchase of missiles produced in large quantities by Russia was due to the high efficiency of the S-400 air defense system. The missile was used by India during the Sindoor Campaign in the war with Pakistan in May. Russian missiles have been used to shoot down five or six Pakistan fighter jets and one S-130 military transport aircraft.
In addition, India is also considering the possibility of purchasing from Russia air defense missiles and new improved versions of the BrahMos hypersonic cruise missile jointly developed by Russia and India. Previously, the media reported that, along with the S-400, India was considering buying Russia's latest S-500 air defense systems.
In 2018, India signed a $5.43 billion deal to purchase five Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile complexes. India deploys the first S-400 missile system purchased from Russia in punjab state, along the border with Pakistan.
India launched the Sindoor Campaign on May 7, attacking terrorist-related targets in Pakistan after a terrorist attack on tourists at the country's Pahalgam tourist destination on April 22. During the Sindoor Campaign, the Indian army used Russian-made military equipment in combat.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the country's air defense system, reinforced with Russian-made S-400 missiles, was a decisive factor in the campaign. After that, Mr. Modi visited the Adampur air base in punjab state and a photo of him taking a photo with an S-400 air defense system at the back.
Russian media reported that the S-500 Prometei air defense system, manufactured by Almaz-Antey Group, is designed to destroy all current and future aerial attack weapons at all speeds and altitudes.
