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  "path": "/partner/india-25b-defense-buys-russia",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-28T09:59:03.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nIndia has approved defense purchases worth about $25 billion, the defense ministry said, including additional Russian-made S-400 long-range missile systems.\n\nThe approvals were given by the Defense Acquisition Council, led by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, according to a statement issued late on Friday.\n\nThe ministry said it has cleared 55 proposals worth 6.73 trillion rupees ($71 billion) in the 2025-26 financial year so far.\n\nIt has also signed capital procurement contracts worth 2.28 trillion rupees ($25 billion), the highest in a single fiscal year.\n\nFor the air force, the approved items include new medium transport aircraft to replace old AN-32 and IL-76 planes, additional S-400 air defense systems, drones and upgrades to Su-30 fighter jet engines.\n\nAlthough India has expanded defense 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 defense supplier.\n\nThe 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.\n\nFor the army, the council approved an air defense tracking system, armor-piercing tank ammunition, radios, artillery, and an aerial surveillance system for battlefield monitoring.",
  "title": "India approves $25B defense buys, including Russian missile systems"
}