India has approved a large-scale arms purchase worth $25 billion, including new Russian missile systems, despite possible criticism from the United States, Bloomberg reported on March 27.
28 March, 10:17 PM
World
India has approved a large-scale arms purchase worth $25 billion, including new Russian missile systems, despite possible criticism from the United States, Bloomberg reported on March 27.
The Defense Acquisition Council, chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the acquisition of five more Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems at an estimated cost of about $6.1 billion, according to an official familiar with the matter.
The ministry noted that these systems are intended to counter long-range air threats that could endanger key assets.
India already operates three such systems, which were used during last year’s four-day conflict with Pakistan, and two more are due for delivery in the coming months, Bloomberg added.
The Trump administration has criticized India for continuing to buy Russian weapons, and the new deals could further complicate relations between the two countries.
On March 27, Reuters reported that India, amid an energy crisis and escalating tensions around Iran, is preparing to resume imports of Russian liquefied natural gas — the first such step since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
On March 25, Indian oil refineries purchased about 60 million barrels of Russian oil for April delivery, easing concerns over supplies due to the war in the Middle East. The cargoes were booked at a premium of $5 to $15 per barrel over Brent, with volumes similar to March but more than double those in February.
On March 12, the United States issued a limited license allowing countries to purchase some Russian oil and petroleum products already at sea.
On March 10, the White House temporarily permitted India to buy Russian oil to avoid disruptions in global markets, stating that it “would not bring Moscow significant financial benefit.”
Russian forces attacked Ukrainian territory overnight into March 29 (from 6:00 p.m. on March 28) with one Kinzhal aeroballistic missile (launched from airspace over Ryazan Oblast) and 442 strike UAVs, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Overnight in the Odesa region, Russian forces attacked civilian infrastructure and an energy facility, resulting in power outages.
Russia has warned it will take “retaliatory measures” if South Korea supplies lethal weapons to Ukraine, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said, according to Yonhap on March 28.
A drone strike triggered a fire at Russia’s Baltic port of Ust-Luga.