Russia makes formal S-400 offer to India

Russia has formally offered its S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems to India, a senior Russian defense official said on April 18.

“The Federal Service has prepared a draft intergovernmental agreement on the supply of the S-400 systems to India and passed it on to our partners, so we are awaiting a response,” Vladimir Drozhzhov, deputy head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) told TASS on the sidelines of the Defexpo India 2016 exhibition in Delhi.

The deal value is estimated to be $6 billion.

The Triumph S-400 is a new-generation medium and long-range anti-aircraft missile system.

S-400 Triumph. Source: YouTube/Телеканал Звезда

At a distance of 250 miles the system can strike planes, while at a distance of 40 miles it can hit tactical ballistic targets flying at a speed of three miles per second, as well as cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.

Russia and India were expected to sign an agreement on the sale of the systems in December 2015 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow for an annual summit. Sources close to the situation tell RBTH that differences on the price held back the signing of an agreement. A deal is likely to be signed within the next few weeks, the sources add. Russia could also commence delivering the S-400 missile defense system to China by the end of the year.

The long-range S-400 surface-to-air missile systems are used to defend the Khmeimim Russian military base in Syria.

How is Russia keeping its planes safe in the Syrian skies?

Read more: How Russian armored personnel carriers are made

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.