Arms trade

India, Russia Sign $5.5 Billion S-400 Deal During Modi-Putin Summit

India and Russia inked a much anticipated $5.5 billion defense deal for the procurement of five regiments of Russian-made Almaz-Antei S-400 Triumf air defense systems (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) during a ceremony witnessed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 5. The contract was signed after the conclusion of talks between the Indian prime minister and Russian president during the 19th India-Russia bilateral annual summit held in New Delhi.

The conclusion of the S-400 agreement will complicate New Delhi’s deepening strategic relations with Washington, given the latter’s threat to impose economic sanctions on countries engaging in “significant transactions” (defined as above $15 million) with the Russian defense industry under U.S. legislation known as the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).