The IAF is now readying to get the third S-400 system, which will be placed in the East, the first one having been located in the North. While the S-400 has a range of about 400 km, the S-500, also more versatile, has a longer range-- of about 600-650 km

New Delhi: Despite the two-month long war with Ukraine and the problems it has encountered, Russia has, so far, ensured that deliveries of the S-400 air-defence system, despite reports of delays, are on time. The S-400 has anti-aircraft and anti-missile capabilities and India has ordered five systems for the air force reports TimesNow.

After the first system arrived, Russia, as per planned, has sent a training module for Indian Air Force personnel so that they can understand the functioning of the system better. The training module arrived in March and the second system, and three more will follow, is expected to arrive next month. The IAF, sources said, has already begun work with the training module, which arrived roughly speaking, on time.

The IAF is now readying to get the third S-400 system, which will be placed in the East, the first one having been located in the North. There is still thinking within the government about additional units of the S-400 or, if it were possible, the S-500. While the S-400 has a range of about 400 km, the S-500, also more versatile, has a longer range-- of about 600-650 km. How this works out in the era of Atmanirbharta or self-reliance remains to be seen, but if additional S-400s are bought, it can be seen as a repeat order.

There is also the international situation, with the war in the Ukraine going on for over two months. Whether India would buy additional systems remains to be seen. During the 2+2 talks with the United States in Washington DC recently, the US secretary of state, Anthony Blinken and his colleague, defence secretary Lloyd Austin, did not bring up the S-400 in the talks, but fresh sales are another matter altogether and India will have to take a call on it.