Indian Military Personnel to Arrive in Russia for C-400 Familiarization

The Russian ambassador to India, Nikolay Kudashev, has confirmed that Indian military personnel will travel to Russia to study the operation of the C-400 air defense systems. This was reported by the newspaper "Kommersant" on January 22.

"Before their journey to Russia, a meeting was held with Indian military specialists at the Russian Embassy in Delhi, which confirmed the implementation of the contract for the delivery of five C-400 systems worth $5.43 billion, signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India in October 2018. This is entering a decisive phase," the publication states.

Kudashev stated during the meeting with Indian military specialists, "This phase is very important; it represents a transition from contractual activity to our Indian friends, the Indian servicemen's mastery of Russian advanced technologies in the field of air defense. A large group of about one hundred people will be sent to Russia." He did not specify the exact date of the Indian delegation's visit to Russia.

According to the ambassador, the fact that Indian military personnel are traveling to Russia during the pandemic signifies the parties' commitment to their responsibilities and demonstrates their independence from the threats of external sanctions, the publication writes. "This group's journey indicates that India has not succumbed to pressure from third countries," the newspaper quotes Kudashev.

According to Interfax, India is one of the main buyers of Russian weaponry. The volume of India's weapon orders from Russia amounts to $14.5 billion, as reported by the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation of Russia.