Russia eyes $8-bn defence deals: S-400, Krivak frigates, Kamov helicopters

With American having displaced Russia over the preceding decade as India’s largest supplier of weaponry, the balance could be restored significantly in the summit meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi on Friday.

Possible announcements relate to the supply of five S-400 Triumf air defence units for the Indian Air Force (IAF) for some $4.5 billion; four Krivak III-class frigates for the navy for about $2 billion, and a $1.5-billion contract to build 200 Kamov-226T light helicopters in Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) with technology transferred from Russian Helicopters.

If all this is finalised, Russia would benefit from about $8 billion worth of defence orders. This would be half of what America has won in a decade.

Standing in the way of Indian purchases from Russia is an American law passed last year — “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (CAATSA).