India-Russia Defence Talks Focus On S-400 Missiles And Sukhoi-30 Upgrades At SCO Meet

India and Russia deepen strategic defence cooperation

India and Russia held crucial defence talks on Thursday during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov to discuss a broad range of military and strategic issues, including the supply of S-400 missile systems, upgrades to the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fleet, and the procurement of critical defence hardware.

The Indian government, in a statement released Friday, said the discussions were significant given the current geopolitical context and India’s focus on strengthening its military capabilities following Operation Sindoor. The operation, launched earlier this year, has brought renewed urgency to India’s defence modernization and self-reliance efforts.

During the meeting, Rajnath Singh and Belousov also exchanged views on ongoing regional tensions, cross-border terrorism, and strategic cooperation under the Indo-Russian partnership. Singh emphasized India’s interest in fast-tracking pending defence supplies and strengthening joint production and technology-sharing initiatives with Moscow.

The Indian Air Force currently operates around 260 Su-30MKI fighter jets, a key component of its combat fleet. These aircraft played a critical role in Operation Sindoor, particularly during the May 10 strikes on Pakistan’s air bases, where the air-launched version of the BrahMos missile was deployed with precision.

Sources indicate that upgrades to the Su-30MKIs could include advanced avionics, radar systems, and integration of new-generation missiles. The two sides also discussed timelines for the remaining deliveries of the S-400 air defence systems, which are vital for India’s layered air defence architecture.

The meeting comes amid a broader push by India to maintain strategic autonomy while deepening ties with traditional defence partners like Russia. It also underscores New Delhi’s continued reliance on Russian defence platforms even as it diversifies military procurement through partnerships with Western nations.

This high-level bilateral dialogue reaffirms the enduring defence partnership between India and Russia and sets the stage for deeper engagement in both military operations and indigenous defence production in the coming months.

Highlights:

India and Russia held key defence talks during SCO meet in Qingdao, China.
Focus on S-400 missile system supply and Su-30 MKI fighter jet upgrades.
Discussions followed India’s Operation Sindoor, which involved BrahMos strikes.
India operates 260 Su-30 MKIs; upgrades and hardware procurement were reviewed.
Ministers also discussed terrorism, geopolitics, and deeper Indo-Russian defence ties.

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