New Delhi, September 18: The negotiations to procure an advanced air defence system, S-400 Triumf from Russia has reached the final stage. While speaking at a press conference, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed hope to get the Rs 4,000 crore deal signed before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi in October. Sitharaman said, “The negotiation with Russia on the S-400 have reached almost the final stage, we'll have to see it if it’s signed before the Russian President’s visit.”

India is going ahead with the deal with Russia in spite of the United Nations Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which prevents countries to get into defence deal with Russian companies. Earlier in July, Sitharaman took a dig at the CAATSA.  She said that it was it is an American law and not a UN law. The U.S. House of Representatives in July also approved legislation to waive penalties against certain countries that purchase weapons from sanctioned Russian defence companies.

Defence minister’s statement about purchasing S-400 missiles from Russia came just days after India signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) with the United States. India is also going to sign a deal of $2.2 billion with Russia in October to procure four warships for the Indian Navy.

India is likely to procure five units of Russian S-400. China was the first country to seal a deal with Russia to import S-400 Triumf’ missiles in 2014. Russia has already started delivery of an unknown number of the S-400 missile systems to the neighbouring country. S-400 is an upgraded version of S-300. The missile system can destroy incoming enemy fighter jets, missiles and even drones up to the range of 400 km. The missile system is manufactured by Almaz-Antey and is serving Russian Military since 2007.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2018 05:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).