NEW DELHI, June 2: Russia is committed to delivering the remaining units of the S-400 air defence system to India by 2025-2026, the country’s Deputy Chief of Mission in India, Roman Babushkin, said on Monday, highlighting that the system performed “very efficiently” during the recent India-Pakistan tensions.
Babushkin also hinted at expanding bilateral cooperation with India in air defence and anti-drone systems.“We heard that the S-400 performed very efficiently during the recent clashes between India and Pakistan. We have a long history of collaboration.The air defence systems, according to what we are experiencing, the situation in Europe and here, this is one of the promising topics of our partnership in defence preparation in general,” Babushkin said.Babushkin confirmed that the contract for the remaining two S-400 units is on track, with deliveries expected to be completed by 2025-26, in line with publicly announced timelines.India signed a USD 5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400 Triumf missile system, an air defence platform capable of engaging multiple aerial threats at long ranges. Three squadrons have already been delivered.On the potential expansion of defence collaboration, Babushkin expressed openness to further dialogue.(PTI)
