India awaits delayed S-400 deliveries as strategic talks with Russia continue
Shafaq News – New Delhi/Moscow
India is expected to receive the final two squadrons of the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence system by 2026 and 2027, respectively, according to Indian defence sources cited by national media.
The delivery timeline marks a significant delay from the original 2023 deadline outlined in the $5.43 billion agreement signed in 2018.
The Times of India said that so far, New Delhi has received and deployed three S-400 squadrons along its northwestern and eastern borders, where they are positioned to counter potential threats from both Pakistan and China. Each squadron includes two missile batteries equipped with long-range radar, mobile launchers, and up to 128 missiles capable of intercepting aerial threats at ranges between 120 and 380 kilometers.
The delivery setbacks have been attributed to logistical and production disruptions linked to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Still, Indian defence officials have stressed the system's critical role in the country's integrated air defence network, where it serves as a key outer shield coordinated through the Indian Air Force's command and control system.
Against this backdrop, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held high-level talks with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, on June 26 on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao, China. While framed as part of routine bilateral engagement, the meeting has been viewed as a strategic push to reinforce military ties and assess the resilience of defence cooperation amid global pressures.
The partnership continues despite the US repeatedly warning that countries trading with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors risk automatic sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). In 2018, Washington imposed sanctions on China's military for acquiring combat aircraft and the S-400 system from Russia. Nevertheless, New Delhi has maintained that bolstering its defence capabilities remains a strategic priority, and that its decisions are driven by national security considerations rather than geopolitical alignments.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Duhok finalizes candidate lists for November polls
Shafaq News – Duhok Kurdistan Region's Duhok has become the first province in Iraq to finalize party and candidate lists for the November 11 parliamentary elections, the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced on Saturday. At a press conference, Khalid Abbas, head of IHEC's Duhok office, outlined that 11 seats will be contested: eight for men, three for women, and one designated for the Christian quota. He emphasized that candidate lists are still under review, cautioning contenders against launching campaigns before receiving final approval. 'Ten electoral lists will compete in Duhok,' Abbas confirmed, naming the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Kurdistan Islamic Union, People's Front, Kurdistan Justice Group, Mawqif Movement, Kurdistan Socialist Party, New Generation Movement, Babylon Movement, and Assyrian National Movement. 'Altogether, 61 candidates have registered — 40 men and 21 women.' Notably, IHEC closed candidate registration nationwide on June 26. Imad Jameel, head of IHEC's media team, told Shafaq News that all applications will undergo vetting by security, judicial, and oversight bodies before clearance. Voter
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iran mourns 56 nationals killed in in conflict with Israel
Shafaq News – Tehran Funeral ceremonies began on Saturday in Iran for 56 military commanders and nuclear scientists killed during the recent 12-day Iranian-Israeli war, local media reported. Iran's state television aired the start of a "martyrs' tribute" ceremony, featuring footage from Tehran where crowds waved Iranian flags and held pictures of the deceased commanders as the nation observed a day of mourning. The funeral procession moved from the gate of Tehran University to Azadi Square, drawing a large crowd with widespread participation. Among those attending were Iran's judiciary chief, Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, and President Masoud Pezeshkian. On Friday, the Iranian army confirmed the deaths of 56 personnel, including 30 security officials and 11 nuclear experts, during the clashes with Israel. The confrontation, which began on June 13, marked a significant escalation in regional hostilities, involving unprecedented direct strikes on nuclear facilities, military leaders, and strategic bases.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
IAEA unsure of Iran's enriched uranium location
Shafaq News - Vienna/Tehran On Saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the agency does not currently know the location of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. Speaking with CBS, Grossi indicated that while some of Iran's enriched uranium may have been destroyed, other portions could have been relocated—though the agency has yet to confirm their exact whereabouts. He described Iran's nuclear program as expansive and technically advanced, with parts that may still be active, remarking, 'Iran is a technologically advanced country in the nuclear field, and this reality cannot be erased—whether by military means or otherwise.' Grossi also emphasized that a military solution will not resolve the issue, pointing to the importance of reaching a negotiated agreement to address what he described as a 'complex and longstanding file.' These statements follow Thursday's Iranian parliamentary resolution halting cooperation with the IAEA. Inspectors, as well as Grossi himself, are no longer permitted to enter the country. Iranian lawmaker Hamid Rasaei also announced that the IAEA's surveillance cameras at nuclear sites in Iran will be shut down. He criticized the agency for failing to condemn attacks on the country's nuclear facilities, arguing that its silence suggests the IAEA is serving the interests of Iran's adversaries.
