London, July 2: British media in its report took a dig at India for going ahead with a deal to procure S-400 air defence systems from Russia. In the report of United Kingdom's (UK) Daily Express, it is mentioned that currently, India has 130 nuclear weapons and in the next decade, it will overtake the UK. Presently, the UK has 215 nuclear warheads. In the report, it is also stated that India’s nuclear budget is almost that of the UK’s at around £5 billion.

The report has slammed India for spending heavily on procuring defence equipment rather than working towards eradicating poverty in the country. The example of India’s deal with Russia to procure S-400 is cited in the report. As per the figures provided by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), India received £186 million in foreign aid in 2015 from a total of £12.1 billion. According to the report, the budget of the department for 2017/18 was £60 million - £30 million for 'traditional aid' and £30 million for 'development capital'.

"DFID ended traditional aid to India in 2015. The UK now provides world-leading expertise and private investment to boost prosperity, create jobs and open up markets - which is firmly in our interests. It will help lift people out of poverty and strengthen the UK-India partnership, which is increasingly important as the UK leaves the EU”, reported Daily Express quoting a DFID spokesman as saying. Daily Express has also cited a report, according to which India has the world’s second largest poor population behind Nigeria.

India has decided to go ahead with its deal buy the S-400 Triumf air defence systems from Russia in spite of the United States concerns. The defence ministry will approach the apex Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval to purchase S-400 air defence systems. Five units of the air defence system are likely to be bought.

The Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee, William Thornberry said that India’s move would affect the military ties between the two countries. Thornberry also said that concerns about India’s potential purchase of the S-400 have been conveyed to different levels of the US government.

S-400 is an advanced version of S-300 with the cutting-edge technology. Almaz-Antey manufactured the air defence system  S-400 has a maximum speed of 4.8 kilometres per second (17,000 km/h; Mach 14), and it can destroy incoming enemy fighter jets, missiles and even drones up to the range of 400 km

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2018 07:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).