Russian state exporters Rosoboronexport has denied rumors about an alleged disruption of deliveries of S-400 air defense systems to India, the company's Director General Alexander Mikheev told Sputnik during the World Defense Show arms exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier, certain Western media outlets disseminated the rumors, citing a representative from the Indian Air Force, that suggested that Russia's planned "large arms supply" to New Delhi in 2023 was impeded due to the conflict in Ukraine and heightened sanctions. Ukrainian media also reported on the supposed "disruption" of deliveries for the last two S-400 divisions and spare parts for Russian combat aircraft under the existing contract.
“The contract is being fulfilled within the deadlines established by agreement of the parties,” according to Mikheev.
The S-400 contract between Russia and India was signed in October 2018 at a total cost of $5.43 billion for five regimental sets of air defenses. India, as the third foreign buyer after China and Turkiye, has already received the first two batteries of missile systems.
According to reports from Indian media, the deployed systems are strategically positioned to cover the Ladakh sector bordering China and the Indian border in West Bengal.
Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhary, commander-in-chief of the Indian Air Force, conveyed at the end of 2023 that New Delhi anticipates the completion of the S-400 supply contract in 2024.