India has approved the purchase of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, transport aircraft, and strike drones from Russia as part of a major military modernization program.
The deal, valued at $25 billion, was confirmed by the country’s Ministry of Defense on March 27. The defense package also includes armor-piercing tank ammunition, artillery systems, aerial surveillance equipment, and hovercraft for the coast guard, alongside a life-extension program for Su-30 fighter jets, according to Reuters.
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A separate contract worth 4.45 billion rupees ($47 million) was signed with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for the supply of Tunguska anti-aircraft missile systems for the ground forces.
According to the Ministry’s statement, India approved a total of 55 defense proposals worth 6.73 trillion rupees ($71 billion) during the current fiscal year ending March 31, with contracts signed for an additional 503 proposals.
In February, India also approved the acquisition of French Rafale fighter jets and Boeing P-8I reconnaissance aircraft from the United States in a deal worth $40 billion.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranks India as the world’s fifth-largest military spender and the second-largest arms importer, following Ukraine.
While New Delhi has relied on Soviet-era equipment for decades, the country has increasingly turned to suppliers in France, Israel, the US, and Germany.
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In recent years, India has focused on developing its own defense manufacturing capabilities or seeking joint production with foreign partners.
The move toward modernization follows a significant military escalation between India and Pakistan last year, which was triggered by an attack in Kashmir. While New Delhi blamed Islamabad for the incident, Pakistan denied involvement in the four-day military standoff.
During recent high-level negotiations in New Delhi, Russian Deputy Minister of Energy Pavel Sorokin and India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri discussed the resumption of direct liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries.
The talks also focused on doubling crude oil sales to India, potentially increasing Russia’s share to 40% of India’s total oil imports.
While India defended these purchases as serving its national interests, Russia simultaneously considered reinstating a ban on its own gasoline exports to stabilize domestic prices, which had risen sharply due to military escalations in the Middle East and the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz.
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