S-400 missiles, AK-203 assault rifles flagship next cycle of India-Russia military partnership

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<strong>Following the likely induction of the S-400 air defence missiles next month and the signing of the AK-203 assault rifle deal on Monday, Russia has set in motion another cycle of beefing up India’s military deterrence for the next decade.</strong></p>
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These deals among others are expected to deter hostile moves towards India by both China and Pakistan. They also dent the possibility of a two-front war waged jointly against India by Beijing and Islamabad, and have therefore emerged as a major factor for imparting regional peace and stability. The AK deal will have a special impact on discouraging cross-border terrorism, as the weapon will be extensively used during counter-terror operations.  </p>
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The dialogue between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu also yielded a 10-year mega-plan for military-technical collaboration between the two countries, ensuring the core strategic collaboration between India and Russia will remain undented by New Delhi’s ties with Washington and Moscow's relationship with Beijing.</p>
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“India deeply appreciates Russia’s strong support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region. Glad that a number of agreements/contracts/protocols were signed pertaining to small arms and military cooperation,” Rajnath Singh <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1467739731341750272?s=20">tweeted</a> on Monday.</p>
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<img alt="India Russia" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/defence1.webp" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;" /></p>
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Separately, Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the strategic S-400 deal has been “implemented”.</p>
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“S-400 deal doesn't have only a symbolic meaning. It has a very important practical meaning for an Indian defence capability and the situation is basically underway. The deal has been implemented,” said Lavrov.</p>
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India Narrative earlier reported quoting Hindustan Times that at least two regiments of S-400s would be inducted along India’s northern and eastern borders by the beginning 2022.</p>
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The daily pointed out that once the inductions are made, they would <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-to-deploy-two-s-400-systems-by-early-2022-changes-game-with-china-101637382419359.html" target="_blank">balance the China’s tactical advantages</a> along the 1,597-km  Line of Control (LAC) in Ladakh following Beijing’s surprise transgressions in May 2020</p>
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The report, citing diplomatic sources, said that advance elements of S-400 systems have already started arriving, and deep penetration radars of the two systems would be in place next month. The two S-400 systems will be fully deployed by early 2022 to match China's positioning of the same system across the Ladakh and Arunachal LAC.</p>
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China has deployed its S-400 missiles in Ngari Gar Gunsa opposite Ladakh and Nyingchi air base facing Arunachal Pradesh.</p>
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Russia has already trained two Indian military teams that can operate the highly advanced S-400 system, which can target hostile targets 400 kilometres away.</p>
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/opinion-news/will-deployment-of-the-s-missiles-by-india-end-the-ladakh-stalemate-with-china-129985.html">Will deployment of the S-400 missiles by India end the Ladakh stalemate with China?</a></strong></p>
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The AK-203 deal has a price tag of ₹5,100 crore, involving joint production of more than 500,000 assault rifles at a facility in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district. The rifles will be manufactured by a joint venture called the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited. It is a collaboration between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited with Russia’s Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov.</p>
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/opinion-news/the-external-dimensions-of-india-russia-relations-132999.html">The external dimensions of India-Russia relations</a> </strong></p>