 "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov. Source: X")
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (June 26) held high-level talks with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China’s Qingdao.
The two leaders reportedly discussed issues related to the rapid modernisation of the Indian military, the regional security situation and cross-border terrorism.
Following the meeting, Singh wrote on X: “We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defence ties.”
This was Singh’s first foreign visit since India launched its Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.
In May, India launched strikes on terror sites and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
S-400 defence system
Following the military conflict with Pakistan, India’s confidence in the S-400 missile defence system seems to have increased as it was able to thwart all Pakistani missiles that were fired at India’s military sites.
The S-400 now forms the outer shield of India’s integrated air defence network and are directly linked to the Indian Air Force’s command and control system (IACCS).
It can spy on and take down targets flying from distances ranging between 120 and 380 kilometres.
India asks for pending S-400 supplies
Under the $5.43 billion (₹40,000 crore) deal signed in 2018, India was set to receive five S-400 squadrons by the end of 2023, but the Russia-Ukraine war delayed the schedule.
India has received and deployed three squadrons in the northwest and east to counter threats from Pakistan and China. In Qingdao, Russia confirmed the fourth squadron will be delivered in 2026 and the fifth by 2027.
Notably, each S-400 squadron includes two missile batteries loaded with 128 missiles.
“As per Russia, the fourth squadron will now come next year, and the fifth in 2027,” a source was quoted as saying by the Times of India.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsUpgrading Su30MKI jets
During the Singh-Belousov meeting, the focus was also on upgrading India’s Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet, crucial for air dominance.
India seeks enhancements including advanced radars, electronic warfare systems, and integration of modern air-to-air missiles to counter evolving aerial threats.
The urgency for these upgrades has intensified since May, driven by increased threats on India’s western and eastern fronts.