Russia has approved the transfer of technology for the S-400 missile system to an Indian private sector company, marking a significant advancement in India’s air defense capabilities and supporting the Make in India initiative. India is currently in advanced talks with Russia to procure five additional S-400 air defense systems beyond the original 2018 $5.43 billion deal, under which three squadrons have been delivered and two more are expected by 2026. The new deal envisions three systems being purchased directly from Russia, while two will be manufactured locally in India through technology transfer to private Indian defense firms. This initiative not only strengthens India’s self-reliance by reducing import dependencies but also encourages local innovation and enhances maintenance capabilities with planned repair and overhaul facilities in India. The S-400 system notably demonstrated its effectiveness during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, achieving historic long-range intercepts of hostile aircraft. The deal is expected to be finalized before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December 2025, underscoring India’s strategic focus on fortifying its air defense across the 7,000-km coastline and northern frontiers amidst evolving regional threats.