<p>
<strong>Following the likely induction of the S-400 air defence missiles next month and the signing of the AK-203 assault rifle deal on Monday, Russia has set in motion another cycle of beefing up India&rsquo;s military deterrence for the next decade.</strong></p>
<p>
These deals among others are expected to deter hostile moves towards India by both China and Pakistan. They also dent the possibility of a two-front war waged jointly against India by Beijing and Islamabad, and have therefore emerged as a major factor for imparting regional peace and stability. The AK deal will have a special impact on discouraging cross-border terrorism, as the weapon will be extensively used during counter-terror operations. &nbsp;</p>
<p>
The dialogue between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu also yielded a 10-year mega-plan for military-technical collaboration between the two countries, ensuring the core strategic collaboration between India and Russia will remain undented by New Delhi&rsquo;s ties with Washington and Moscow&#39;s relationship with Beijing.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;India deeply appreciates Russia&rsquo;s strong support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region. Glad that a number of agreements/contracts/protocols were signed pertaining to small arms and military cooperation,&rdquo; Rajnath Singh <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1467739731341750272?s=20">tweeted</a> on Monday.</p>
<p>
<img alt="India Russia" src="https://www.indianarrative.com/upload/news/defence1.webp" style="width: 100%; height: 100%;" /></p>
<p>
Separately, Russian foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the strategic S-400 deal has been &ldquo;implemented&rdquo;.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;S-400 deal doesn&#39;t have only a symbolic meaning. It has a very important practical meaning for an Indian defence capability and the situation is basically underway. The deal has been implemented,&rdquo; said Lavrov.</p>
<p>
India Narrative earlier reported quoting Hindustan Times that at least two regiments of S-400s&nbsp;would be inducted along India&rsquo;s northern and eastern borders by the beginning 2022.</p>
<p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mjrD8eOwfYE?start=3067" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>
The daily pointed out that once the inductions are made, they would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-to-deploy-two-s-400-systems-by-early-2022-changes-game-with-china-101637382419359.html" target="_blank">balance the China&rsquo;s tactical advantages</a>&nbsp;along the 1,597-km&nbsp; Line of Control (LAC) in Ladakh following Beijing&rsquo;s surprise transgressions in May 2020</p>
<p>
The report, citing diplomatic sources, said that advance elements of S-400 systems have already started arriving, and deep penetration radars of the two systems would be in place next month. The two S-400 systems will be fully deployed by early 2022 to match China&#39;s positioning of the same system across the Ladakh and Arunachal LAC.</p>
<p>
China has deployed its S-400 missiles in Ngari Gar Gunsa&nbsp;opposite Ladakh and Nyingchi air base facing&nbsp;Arunachal Pradesh.</p>
<p>
Russia has already trained two Indian military teams that can operate the highly advanced S-400 system, which can target hostile targets 400 kilometres away.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/opinion-news/will-deployment-of-the-s-missiles-by-india-end-the-ladakh-stalemate-with-china-129985.html">Will deployment of the S-400 missiles by India end the Ladakh stalemate with China?</a></strong></p>
<p>
The AK-203 deal has a price tag of &#8377;5,100 crore, involving joint production of more than 500,000 assault rifles at a facility in Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Amethi district. The rifles will be manufactured by a joint venture called the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited. It is a collaboration between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and Munitions India Limited with Russia&rsquo;s Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/opinion-news/the-external-dimensions-of-india-russia-relations-132999.html">The external dimensions of India-Russia relations</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>
Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has said that Australia is expanding its defence relationships…
Several protestors blocked the Neelam Valley Road at Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir on Thursday.…
Amid international concern over the erosion of women's rights in Afghanistan, Omar Haidari, a Berlin-based…
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) along with NPCI international payments ltd (NIPL) will work…
The Ministry of Mines has reported a positive start to the fiscal year 2024-25, with…
Philippines President Marcos Jr. became the first Philippine leader to deliver the keynote address to…