Russia will supply India with S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems within 18-19 months. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister for the defense industry Yuri Borisov. According to him, an advance for delivery has already been received.

“(Contract. - RT ) has been advanced, and everything will be delivered in strict accordance with the schedule. In my opinion, it’s about 18-19 months there, ”the politician reports to RIA Novosti.

In India, they reported on the desire to acquire the S-400 system back in 2015. The contract for the supply of complexes was signed three years later during a visit to the country by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the amount of the agreement was $ 5.43 billion.

“The contract was signed on October 5, 2018 for the supply of the S-400 system from Russia. Deliveries are likely to be made by April 2023, ”said Indian Minister of Defense Sripad Naik in July 2019.

Earlier, a spokesman for the Russian president called the situation with the supply of S-400 to India “favorable”. According to him, the Russian and Indian delegations discussed this issue as part of the discussion on military-technical cooperation during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

“A sensitive but very important topic of our interaction was discussed - these are elements of military-technical cooperation. The interest from our Indian partners is great. And the discussion of this topic, I mean the topic of military-technical cooperation, was then continued during the negotiations between the Russian and Indian delegations, ”Peskov said on the evening news program on Channel One.

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US reaction

The alleged supply of S-400 to India is a serious irritation for Washington. The US threatens to apply sanctions to the country for the purchase of complexes.

“There are no exceptions for any country when it comes to the S-400. We are seriously concerned about the possible acquisition of these facilities and are continuing negotiations on how the United States or other suppliers of defense equipment can help India, ”said Alice Wells, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, in July.

She also said that although India has begun the process of diversification of arms suppliers in recent years, at present 65–70% of the country's military equipment is still of Russian origin. According to Wells, the United States makes it clear to India that it is ready to satisfy its "defense needs."

Nevertheless, the United States will not be able to change India’s decision to purchase complexes, told Sergei Sudakov, corresponding member of the Academy of Military Sciences, RT. According to him, the United States does not have leverage over India, as American companies depend too much on Indian raw materials.

“America is heavily dependent on the Indian chemical and metals industry. If you look at the sectors of the Indian economy, you will see how much raw material private American corporations buy to produce drugs. If America wants to shut off India’s faucet for the supply of the chemical industry, medicines, and the metallurgical industry, then they will very much carve themselves, ”the expert is sure.

In addition, India is a nuclear power with a huge population and a developing economy, which allows it to pursue an independent policy, said Alexander Sherin, first deputy chairman of the State Duma’s defense committee. India will only benefit from a partnership with Russia, offering alternatives to cooperation with the United States, he believes.

“Based on the fact that some of our potential partners cannot work with us at the direction of the United States, in this regard, the remaining countries that show such courage will only win. Russia will create favorable conditions for such countries, which, perhaps, would not exist if the market were wider for us. These countries perfectly understand the situation, ”the deputy told RT.

On the other hand, the US resentment over the acquisition of S-400 by various countries serves as a good advertisement for Russian systems on the international market, Sherin said.

“Of course, the indignation that the United States expresses over the acquisition of S-400 by some countries is a good advertisement for our system. All countries are well aware that this system is very good. Even if NATO members acquire weapons, an analogue of which is available in the USA, it means that they are good weapons, they are more efficient and reliable, and they also have better value for money, ”the politician concludes.

Recall that now the S-400 systems are delivered to Turkey. In late August, the Ministry of Defense of the republic announced the second stage of the supply of complexes to the country. Turkey plans to deploy systems on its territory by April 2020, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this. In addition, China has already purchased the complexes; Belarus also has systems. Also in the media there were reports that countries such as Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Qatar and Morocco showed interest in the S-400.