Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, India has received defence equipment for the training squadron of the Russia-made S-400 Triumf advanced surface-to-air missile defence system, local media reported on Friday.
In December, New Delhi announced that Russia had begun deliveries of the S-400 long-range defense systems to India.
Local news agency Asian News International reported that the country received simulators and other equipment from Moscow. The report said that despite the war in Ukraine, “defense supplies from Moscow are continuing.” The latest supplies from Russia also included “overhauled fighter aircraft engines and spares for an aircraft fleet.”
“It does not include missiles or launchers,” the agency quoted defense sources as saying, adding that India also received the final parts of the S-400 system from Russia whose first squadron was “operational to take care of threats” from neighbouring countries.
India, a long-time ally of Russia, has in recent times been growing closer to Washington. Since Russia launched a war on Ukraine in February, India has called for a peaceful solution but refrained from openly criticising Moscow.
In 2018, India and Russia signed a $5.5 billion contract for the S-400 system, putting India at risk of US sanctions. The US has long tried to deter countries from buying military equipment from Russia, threatening them with punitive measures under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
