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2mo ago

India Secures Russia’s 2026–27 Delivery of Last S-400 Batteries and Plans Sukhoi-30MKI Overhaul

Securing Moscow’s commitment on final S-400 batches at Qingdao underpins India’s broader drive to modernise its Sukhoi-30MKI fleet, explore S-500 acquisitions, fast-track Project Kusha development

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in Qingdao, China | X/@DefenceMinIndia
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India to procure two more S-400 from Russia, plans to upgrade Su-30 MKI

Overview

  • Russia has assured delivery of the fourth S-400 battery in 2026 and the fifth in 2027 after delays caused by its Ukraine conflict logistics.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh won formal delivery guarantees from Russian deputy premier Andrey Belousov during SCO defence ministers’ talks in Qingdao.
  • India intends to upgrade roughly 260 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters with modern avionics, AESA radars and about 78 percent indigenous systems.
  • Officials are evaluating purchases of extra S-400 squadrons and have signalled interest in the more capable S-500 platform, subject to Russian leadership approval.
  • New Delhi is pushing ahead with its homegrown Project Kusha long-range air-defence system for operational deployment by 2028–2029 alongside joint missile production initiatives.