India, Russia Discuss Su-30MKI Upgrade and S-400 Deliveries During SCO Meet

India and Russia reaffirmed their strategic defence partnership during a high-level meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Thursday.

A key focus of the bilateral talks was the proposed upgrade of India’s Su-30MKI fighter aircraft fleet. With over 260 Su-30MKIs currently in service, India is pursuing a major modernisation plan to equip these jets with advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and next-generation weaponry. The project is expected to significantly boost the Indian Air Force’s operational capabilities.

Also discussed was the expedited delivery of the remaining two S-400 Triumf air defence systems. India has already received three units under a $5.5 billion deal signed in 2018. The S-400s played a crucial role during the May 7–10 military standoff with Pakistan, and both sides acknowledged the importance of timely completion of deliveries.

The ministers also reviewed ongoing joint efforts in defence production, particularly in the manufacture of air-to-air missiles and other critical munitions. This aligns with India's broader push for self-reliance in defence through technology partnerships and local manufacturing.

The meeting comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a recent cross-border military action against terrorist infrastructure, which has highlighted the importance of maintaining a high state of readiness and replenishing military inventories swiftly.

India and Russia reiterated their long-standing defence cooperation and emphasized the importance of modernising existing platforms, enhancing joint production, and responding decisively to evolving regional threats.