After S-400, More Contracts On The Way: Rosoboronexport

Russian arms exporting agency, Rosoboronexport today said several contracts are in final stages of negotiations with India following the signing of the S-400 missile defence system deal today.

“Rosoboronexport is ready to cooperate with India in any areas. At the moment, a number of other major contracts for the supply of Russian weapons to India are in the final stages of preparation and we hope they will be signed soon,” Head of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev said Friday.

Rosoboronexport signed $5.43 billion contract to supply India with five S-400 Triumph long-range air defense missile systems (ADMS) which it says is the biggest ever deal in the company’s history.

“The contract for the supply of S-400 Triumph air defense missile systems to India is the biggest for the entire period of military-technical cooperation between Russia and India and the largest in history of Rosoboronexport. Today we begin to execute it” said Mikheev.

An estimated US$10 billion, the single-biggest bunch of defence contracts are expected to be concluded at one time between the two countries. Apart from the S-400 deal, India and Russia are expected to sign a deal to manufacture 200 Kamov 226T helicopters worth an estimated $1 billion, 4 naval frigates estimated at $2 billion, a deal to manufacture 650,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 rifles in India and the purchase of 2 Il-78 transport planes which will form the platform for Israeli-made airborne early warning radar system.

In addition, a $600 million upgrade proposal for the Indian Air Force’s fleet of IL-76 transporter and IL-78 aerial refueling aircraft is also on the cards.