Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to go to India on 4-5 December for the twenty third Annual Summit, his first journey to New Delhi for the reason that outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and India’s Operation Sindoor. Defence cooperation is predicted to dominate his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Moscow inserting a brand new proposal for added S-400 air-defence regiments on the prime of the agenda. The go to is being considered as a reaffirmation of the long-standing strategic partnership between the 2 nations.
Russia has reportedly provided to provide two or three extra S-400 regiments to the Indian Air Drive. The proposal comes at a time when India, although more and more diversifying its navy procurement, continues to rely closely on Russian-origin gear, at present estimated to account for 60-70 per cent of its arsenal.
In keeping with the Stockholm Worldwide Peace Analysis Institute (SIPRI), Russia’s share of India’s arms imports has dropped from 76 per cent in 2009 to 36 per cent in 2024, reflecting New Delhi’s decided push in the direction of indigenisation underneath the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and its rising arms partnerships with France and america.
Regardless of this shift, the depth of Indo-Russian defence cooperation stays substantial. Joint programmes embody the S-400 system, BrahMos cruise missile, T-90 tanks, and manufacturing traces for MiG-29 fighters, Kamov helicopters, T-72 tanks, BMP-2 armoured automobiles, and Navy stealth frigates. The co-development of the BrahMos missile and the AK-203 rifle additional illustrates the enduring technological partnership.
Operation Sindoor in Could underscored the operational worth of the S-400, nicknamed “Sudarshan Chakra” by the Indian Air Drive. An S-400 unit in Adampur reportedly shot down a Pakistani plane at a spread of 314 kilometres, whereas the IAF confirmed that the system neutralised seven Pakistani plane and tracked greater than 300 airborne targets concurrently. Its fast deployment functionality, underneath 5 minutes, has been highlighted as a key tactical benefit. The system’s integration alongside the China and Pakistan borders has considerably strengthened India’s multi-layered air-defence community.
In keeping with sources, Russia’s state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec has already opened preliminary discussions on a recent S-400 contract, assuring India that future deliveries can be accomplished on schedule, a precedence for New Delhi after earlier delays linked to the battle in Ukraine. India’s authentic USD 5.43-billion settlement for 5 S-400 regiments has seen three delivered, with the remaining two due between early and mid-2026.
A notable characteristic of Russia’s new proposal is a proposal of as much as 50 per cent expertise switch for S-400 missiles and help programs. This might permit Indian producers, probably together with Bharat Dynamics Restricted- to assemble parts regionally and speed up manufacturing of the 48N6 missile, accredited for indigenous manufacture in October. Officers recommend that just about half of the S-400 help ecosystem could possibly be localised, reducing prices and considerably strengthening India’s home defence capabilities.
Regardless of Russia remaining India’s largest defence provider, its share of New Delhi’s imports has fallen steeply, from 72 per cent in 2010–2014 to 55 per cent in 2015–2019, and now 36 per cent for 2020–2024, in accordance with the 2025 SIPRI report. The decline displays India’s diversification technique and its intent to keep away from overdependence on anyone nation.
Each side are anticipated to speed up negotiations on the expanded S-400 bundle and different joint programmes throughout Putin’s go to, to conclude agreements by mid-2026.