Defense officials from New Delhi and Moscow will also reportedly discuss the joint manufacturing of the surface-to-air missile array

India is looking to buy five more S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia, the Hindustan Times reported on Monday.

High-level Indian defense ministry officials will hold talks with their Russian counterparts this week, according to the report.

New Delhi is looking to either jointly manufacture the S-400s with Moscow or buy them outright, the paper said, adding that Indian officials hope to sign a deal during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit in early December.

The South Asian nation is also looking to involve its private sector in setting up facilities for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of the missile arrays, the paper said, citing defense officials.

India has already received three of the five S-400 air defense systems it purchased from Russia for $5.43 billion in 2018. The remaining two are slated for delivery in 2026.

The S-400s played a key role in defending India's air bases and other military installations against Pakistan's strikes during the four-day confrontation between the two neighboring South Asian countries in May.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the prowess of the country's air defenses and the performance of the Russian-made systems in particular.

"Platforms like the S-400 have given unprecedented strength to the country," Modi said in an address to the soldiers in May, against the backdrop of the missile system. "A strong security shield has become the identity of India."

In addition to S-400 systems, New Delhi is also looking to purchase RVV-BD missiles from Russia, which feature a 200km range, to empower its fleet of Su-30 MKI warplanes.

India's military currently relies heavily on Russian-made equipment; around 60% of its arsenal was produced by its northern partner.

New Delhi, however, has been pushing to onshore its defense sector under Modi's 'Make in India' initiative. Russian defense companies have taken part in a number of joint ventures in India over the last two decades.

(RT.com)