India has approved military procurement worth about $25 billion, the defense ministry said, including additional Russian S-400 long-range missile systems.
The approvals were given by the Military Procurement Council, headed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, according to a statement released on Friday evening.
The Ministry announced that so far in the fiscal year 2025-2026. approved 55 proposals worth 6.73 trillion rupees ($71 billion). It also signed equity deals worth 2.28 trillion rupees ($25 billion), the most in a single fiscal year.
For the Air Force, approved items include new medium transport aircraft to replace aging AN-32 and IL-76 aircraft, additional S-400 air defense systems, drones and engine upgrades for Su-30 fighter jets.
Although India has expanded purchases of military equipment from the United States, France and Israel in recent years, new orders for the S-400 and upgrades to the Su-30 indicate that Russia remains an important supplier of military equipment.
The S-400 system will “counter long-range enemy air threats,” while “remotely piloted attack aircraft” or armed drones will be capable of both attack and surveillance, the statement said.
For the army, the council approved an air defense monitoring system, armor-piercing munitions for tanks, radios, artillery and an aerial surveillance system for monitoring the battlefield, reports AFP.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
