India Plans to Address S-400 Delivery Delays with Russia

India’s Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, announced that the nation has no current issues with its defence budget. He stated this during a recent address at the National Security Summit in New Delhi. Singh confirmed that India is adequately resourced and that further support from the Finance Ministry will be available if necessary.

During an upcoming visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin in early December 2023, India intends to discuss delays in the delivery of the S-400 air defence system and other critical defence projects. Singh emphasized the importance of this meeting, stating it will focus on strengthening defence ties between the two nations.

Addressing Defence Cooperation and Delivery Issues

Singh confirmed that the Indian government will seek clear answers from Russia concerning the delivery delays of the S-400 system. He remarked, “Don’t expect any announcements regarding S-400 during this. This meeting will focus on the broader aspects of defence cooperation between the two sides.” The Defence Secretary expressed hope that the discussions would yield solutions for the delays and facilitate more timely deliveries.

While reiterating that public discussions would not cover specific procurement decisions, Singh highlighted the extensive defence programs already in place with Russia. He mentioned the existing S-400 contracts, which have faced delays but for which Russia has now committed to delivering remaining systems in the coming financial year.

Singh also indicated that other significant projects would be on the agenda during the discussions with the Russian delegation. He noted, “A bunch of other programs which are there are delivering milestone delays, which will be taken up with them. And try to sort of expedite those, including the major programs such as the Sukhoi upgradation.”

These talks are expected to play a crucial role in addressing ongoing challenges in defence procurement and ensuring that both nations work towards enhancing their military cooperation. The developments during Putin’s visit may set the tone for future collaboration in various defence initiatives.

As Russia and India continue to navigate their defence relationship, the outcomes of these discussions will be closely monitored by analysts and stakeholders in both countries.