On October 6, a source familiar with the matter from India said that senior officials of the Indian Ministry of National Defense are expected to hold talks with the Russian side this week.
Accordingly, New Delhi is considering two options: Either producing the S-400 with Moscow, or buying the entire package, and Indian officials hope to sign an agreement during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit in early December.
India also wants to mobilize the private sector to participate in the construction of maintenance, repair and maintenance facilities for this missile system.
India has previously received three out of five S-400 systems ordered from Russia under a $5.43 billion contract signed in 2018 and the remaining two plans are expected to be handed over in 2026.
The S-400 systems played a key role in protecting India's air bases and military facilities from Pakistan's attacks in a four-day confrontation between the two South Asian countries in May.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the power of the national air defense system, especially the Russian-made complexes.
such weapons as the S-400 have brought unprecedented strength to the country, Mr. Modi said in a speech to soldiers in May, affirming that the complex is a solid security shield for India.
In addition to the S-400, New Delhi is also looking to buy more Russian PVV-BD anti-aircraft missiles with a range of 200km to increase the strength of the Su-30 MKI fighter squadron.
Currently, about 60% of India's arsenal is from Russia, showing great dependence on the northern partner country.
However, New Delhi is also making efforts to localize the defense industry within the framework of the "Making in India" initiative initiated by Mr. Modi. Accordingly, Russian defense enterprises have participated in many joint ventures in India over the past two decades.
