BRICS: India may sign Rs 33k crore deal with Russia for most modern missile air defence systems, S-400

New Delhi: India is planning to upgrade its air defence system and is interested in signing a deal for getting five systems of the most modern air defence system, said reports. Capable of firing three types of missiles, this has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km hence creating a layered defence. The system can simultaneously engage 36 targets, said reports. Called the S-400, manufactured by Almaz-Antey, it is an upgraded version of the S-300, previously only been available to the Russian. the country is using it since 2007. If India goes for it, it would be the second client of the prized missile system. China is first which had struck a USD 3 billion contract in 2015. The Kremlin aide declined to comment on the details of the deal. However, in an interview to IANS and Sputnik news agencies, President of Russia Vladmir Putin said, “Russia remains in the lead in terms of both direct supplies of most advanced weapons and military equipment and conducting joint researches with India as well as producing goods for military purposes. Our countries actively collaborate in the military technical field,” Putin said Russia remained the top supplier of advanced weapons and defence technology to its "privileged strategic partner" India. Russia, the agency reported, also plans to sign an agreement on building Project 11356 frigates for the Indian Navy and setting up a joint venture between two countries to produce Kamov Ka-226T helicopters. It is worth mentioning here that BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit is going to take place in Goa on 15–16 October. Putin and Modi will hold their talks ahead of the summit of the grouping of leading emerging economies, said reports. Something about India–Russia defence deals: Defence relations between India and the Russian have a historical perspective with India, reportedly, the second largest market for the defence industry of Russia. More than 70% of the Indian Military's hardware, in 2004, came from Russia. In December 2012, Both countries signed a defence deal worth $2.9 billion during Putin's visit to India. Both countries have several major joint military programmes like:

• BrahMos cruise missile
• Fighter jet programme (5th generation)
• Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme. More than 230 to be built by Hindustan Aeronautics
• Ilyushin/HAL Tactical Transport Aircraft programme

Some of the military hardware India has purchased/leased from Russia

• S-400 Triumf 12.
• Under the Make in India initiative, Kamov Ka-226 200 to be made in India.
• In India, T-90S Bhishma with over 1000 to be built.
• The immensely important Akula-II nuclear submarine (2 to be leased with choice to buy when the lease ends)
• Tu-22M3 bombers (4 ordered)
• US900 million dollar upgrade of MiG-29