India has approved defence purchases worth about $25 billion, the defence ministry said, including additional Russian-made S-400 long-range missile systems.The approvals were given by the Defence Acquisition Council, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, according to a statement issued. The defence equipment buying spree came after Pakistan shot down several Indian warplanes in a four-day conflict in May last.

The ministry said it has cleared 55 proposals worth 6.73 trillion rupees ($71 billion) in the 2025–26 financial year so far. It has also signed capital procurement contracts worth 2.28 trillion rupees ($25 billion), the highest in a single fiscal year.For the air force, the approved items include new medium transport aircraft to replace old AN-32 and IL-76 planes, additional S-400 air defence systems, drones and upgrades to Su-30 fighter jet engines.

Although India has expanded defence purchases from the United States, France and Israel in recent years, the new S-400 orders and Su-30 upgrades indicate that Russia remains an important defence supplier.The S-400 system will "counter enemy long-range air" threats, while the "Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft", or armed drones, will be capable of both attack and surveillance, the statement said.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)