Cavalier India Defence Training Academy

Officials say efforts were made to speed up deal; dismiss CAATSA concerns The delivery schedule for the S-400 long range air defence systems was on track for the end of 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior defence official said.  “The deal is on track and deliveries are expected to begin by November this year,” the official said.  Two officials independently stated that efforts were made to speed up the deal but the Russian side had conveyed this was not possible. Two official sources, also speaking independently, dismissed concerns over possible U.S. sanctions on the deal under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), stating this deal met national security considerations.  In October 2018, India had signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia for five S-400 regiments despite objections from the U.S., with deliveries scheduled to begin end 2021.  U.S. officials on several occasions raised concerns over the deal as India deepened its d...

The government has begun the process of filling up gaps in defence preparedness, making good pending purchases, shoring up supplies and improving inventory profile based on worst-case scenarios, including a two-front fight. According to people aware of the details, Russia appears to have bunched the delivery of India’s S-400 with a couple of other countries. Rajnath Singh leaves for 3-day visit to Russia to attend 75th victory day parade India will press Russia to consider expediting the delivery of the S-400 Triumf anti-missile system during defence minister Rajnath Singh’s three-day visit to Russia starting Monday. The urgency comes amid heightened tensions along the India-China border. Moscow is believed to have delayed delivery of the $5.4-billion system to December 2021 due to Covid-19 constraints. India had completed large payments for the system last year. China, which also enjoys strong defence ties with Russia, has already acquired the S-400 system from its northern neighbour ...