India will buy S-400 air defense systems from Russia for $5.5 billion, despite possible U.S. sanctions

Despite possible tough sanctions from the U.S., India is ready to spend $5.5 billion to buy Russian S-400 air defense systems. At least that's what they say in Russia.

What we know

The agreement between the two countries was signed in 2018. The head of RosOboronExport said Russia will deliver all five regiments of S-400 surface-to-air missile systems by 2023 as part of the $5.5 billion contract.

Note that in 2018, after the agreement was signed, the United States threatened India with sanctions. In July, the lower house of Congress removed the contract from sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. It is this federal law that imposes sanctions on Iran, Russia and the DPRK.

Washington is now looking for ways to solve the problem. On the one hand, sanctions could disrupt U.S.-India relations. However, if the U.S. government does not react in any way to the delivery of anti-aircraft missile systems, criticism from Turkey will not have to wait long.

In 2019, to keep everyone happy (except Russia), the United States wanted to strengthen India's air defense with its own weapons. In three years, however, things have not moved forward.

By the way, another option for the U.S. to cancel the India-Russia deal is increased control over the export of components. If the S-400s involve Western components, particularly microchips, Washington could block deliveries of the surface-to-air missile systems. This would deprive Russia of billions of dollars in additional funds that could have been invested in the military-industrial complex.

Source: Defense Express

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