India Hopes to Buy Russian S-400 Air Defense Systems to Boost Security

Former Indian Wing Commander Prafulla Bakshi called Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system the "world's most successful defense system."

NEW DELHI (Sputnik) — New Delhi intends to sign an agreement with Moscow on the delivery of Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to strengthen the country’s security, former Indian Wing Commander Prafulla Bakshi told Sputnik on Saturday.

On Friday, India's Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar arrived in Moscow to discuss military and technical cooperation within the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) meeting on November 2.

"Indian air defense system is weak and the defense ministry is planning to strengthen it. Accordingly, Indian Air Force has chalked a plan to add four more regional headquarters apart from the present five. So the Russian S-400 Missile System will be very important for India. This missile system is the world's most successful defense system,” Bakshi said.

India and Russia have enjoyed good relations since the 1960s, underpinned by Russia's position as New Delhi’s foremost military supplier, particularly in the post-Cold War era.

IRIGC-MTC was established in 2000 to enhance bilateral cooperation in the military sphere. It is co-chaired by Parrikar and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu.

The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is Russia's next-generation anti-aircraft system, carrying three different types of missiles capable of destroying aerial targets at short-to-extremely long range.