India To Clear S-400 Air Defense System, Pinaka Rocket Launchers Ahead Of Modi’s Moscow Visit

The Indian Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) is all set to clear the procurement of five S-400 supersonic air defense systems from Russia ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow.

The DAC chaired by defense minister Manohar Parrikar will also clear a ‘Make in India’ plan to raise six regiments of Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher systems (MRLS) ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow on December 24 and will be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hindustan Times news daily reported Thursday.

The five S-400 systems are likely to cost about INR 40,000 crore (US $6 billion) while the Pinaka systems would cost INR 14,000 crore (US $2.1 billion).

“India may issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a government to government route will be adopted for the procurement of S-400 systems. The acquisition is likely to be discussed during the Modi-Putin meeting,” the news daily quoted sources from the South Block.

S-400 is an anti-aircraft system and comes with a mobile launcher and a threat detection radar/command center. The deal also includes purchase of about 6,000 missiles from Russia.

Pinaka systems are going replace traditional artillery guns on the border. The Pinaka system can fire within seconds a barrage of unguided rockets with a range of up to 38 km to achieve a saturation bombing effect, or what is called area destruction. This kind of weapon system is lethal for troop and armour concentrations, and is also battle-proven.