India approved the purchase of weapons worth 2.38 trillion rupees ($25 billion), including additional Russian-made missile systems, the Ministry of Defence said. The move could potentially provoke displeasure in Washington.
The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, authorized the purchase of five more Russian-made surface-to-air missile systems worth about $6.1 billion in total, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because of its sensitivity.
“The S-400 system will make it possible to counter enemy long-range aerial threats targeting critical sites,” the ministry said in a statement, without providing further details.
India already has three such systems in service, and they were used during the four-day conflict with Pakistan in May of last year. Two more are expected to be delivered in the coming months.
Despite a decline in volumes, Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier, accounting for more than a third of all purchases, according to a 2025 report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
At the same time, India is gradually diversifying its sources of supply and has become the largest buyer of French military hardware, the report noted.
President Donald Trump’s administration has criticized India for buying Russian weapons. The new purchases could add a further irritant to ties that deteriorated last year amid protracted negotiations over a trade agreement.
The decision to acquire additional missile defence systems also shows that New Delhi continues to rely on long-standing partners, including Moscow, when it comes to advanced military technology.
The Ministry of Defence also approved upgrades for Russian fighter jets and the purchase of domestically produced remotely operated attack drones, without specifying the number involved.
According to the ministry, those systems are capable of carrying out “offensive missions and coordinated aerial operations,” as well as conducting “surveillance and reconnaissance.”