Amidst Delivery Delays, Russia Offers ToT and Local Manufacturing of S-400 Components to Mitigate Supply Chain Woes

Russia has proposed a transfer of technology (ToT) to India for the S-400 air defence system, alongside an offer for local manufacturing of system components. This offer comes as Russia faces delays in delivering the final two squadrons of the S-400 system to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The proposal is intended to allow India to produce S-400 parts domestically, facilitating both replenishment of existing systems and potential future expansion of its inventory.

In 2018, India contracted to purchase five squadrons of the S-400 system from Russia for approximately $5.43 billion. Three of these squadrons have been delivered and are currently operational, strategically positioned along India's northern and eastern borders.

These deployed systems have been integrated into India's air defence network and have been utilized in training exercises, significantly improving the country's ability to defend against aerial threats.

However, the delivery schedule for the remaining two squadrons is unclear, with ongoing geopolitical and logistical difficulties related to the conflict in Ukraine cited as contributing factors.

In an effort to address India's increasing focus on defence self-sufficiency, Russia has put forward the ToT proposal. This would enable the local production of crucial components for the S-400 system.

This approach supports India's broader "Make in India" initiative, which aims to boost domestic defence production capabilities and lessen the country's dependence on international arms suppliers.

The successful implementation of this offer could lead to the establishment of an Indian production line for S-400 components, bolstering air defence readiness and ensuring a consistent supply of vital missile parts.

The S-400, known in NATO reporting as the SA-21 Growler, is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system capable of engaging aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles, and even ballistic missiles.

The potential acceptance of Russia's ToT offer would present several complex considerations. These include the effective integration of the transferred technology, the establishment of localized supply chains for necessary materials, and the negotiation of intellectual property rights.

Additionally, the wider geopolitical landscape, including sanctions imposed on Russia by Western nations, could pose challenges to the sourcing of essential components directly from Russian manufacturers. These factors will likely be a key part of the discussion and approval process.

While evaluating the Russian proposal, India continues to develop its own indigenous long-range air defence system, known as Project Kusha, managed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Project Kusha seeks to create a system with performance characteristics similar to the S-400. The DRDO project envisions a multi-layered missile defence architecture, fully integrated with India's existing air defence infrastructure, ultimately reducing the nation's reliance on imported defence systems. The system, with an expected range exceeding 350 km, is anticipated to be deployable by 2028-29.

 

[beencensured]

New Bharat should ask for S500 TOT and forgo S400 as project Kushas capability far exceeds S400.

Right now there is more worry about drones then such ballistic threats from state actors. BEsides India is developing BMD 2. Russia is top country in missile technologyy due to years experience and heavy research. India too is catching up fast, but Russia is falling behind in sensors and electronics.

 

[Sridhar]

No, thanks. Focus on Project Kusha. India has the capability to design its own LR-SAM systems.

 

[Anand S Jha]

S-400 can't detect hypersonic missiles.
S-500 can.
India itself has Kusha, a hypersonic detector.

 

[Sridhar]

"Better system"? Based on what past performance are you claiming that? Or is that just the usual jingoistic BS? We will most definitely come up with a system; whether it's better depends on how it performs in the field. America's Patriot system wasn't as good as it is now, but with time, field experience, and iterative development, they've gotten a lot better.
But, of course, you lot will clap like monkeys even if we come up with subpar systems.
Tragedy of low/unrealistic expectations.

India has successfully developed its own AAD. PAD and AAD are examples. If India can develop these platforms, then designing a new SAM isn't a big deal at all.

 

[CCPSmasher]

Never trust the Russians. They will promise the moon and stars, while wasting your time and leeching you dry. The only time they will give it to you is when they have better things to lure you in with next. The aircraft carrier deal and PAK-FA have taught India enough about how much and how far we can deal with and trust the Russkies when it comes to real ToT. That's the exact reason why China reverse-engineered every and any platform they could put their hands on; otherwise, why would China need to do that when China has the capacity to buy more and give more $$ to Russia? The only reason they are doing such stunts to India is because they are scared and desperate, knowing India will buy better Western tech, India will not be their captive market anymore, and India is consciously developing its own MICs to get them matured soon.

 

[Akshat]

Do you know about India's experience in developing the Barak 8 and being able to defeat Yakhont-type missiles? According to DRDO chief V. K. Saraswat, as told to The Economic Times, "More than 70 per cent of the content in the missile being developed with Israel would be indigenous," including the dual-pulse motor, which came from India. So, the statement is rather false in that India has good experience in developing surface-to-air missiles. Akash is also one of the best surface-to-air missiles in the world.

Akash is one of the best? How? When did it ever go toe to toe with any foreign system and come on top? Has any country inducted it over other available systems, especially from Israel or Russia or US? No. So it is just one of the systems, not one of the bests.

As for Barak, it is an improved version of Israeli Barak missile. Indigenous content includes ToT as well, so we are not developing 70% of the content (that too by number, not value) but only manufacturing it. In fact, the biggest advancement is it's seeker, which is not gonna be Indian. So making Barak 8 again doesn't prove any dominance in the field. Show us one SAM system which is entirely made by India and is among the leaders in the field. Can you? No. Because anything made by DRDO will never ever be superlative but will still be forced on our brave soldiers who have to fight with that substandard weapon and save our nation.

 

[Akshat]

India has successfully developed its own AAD. PAD and AAD are examples. If India can develop these platforms, then designing a new SAM isn't a big deal at all.

Again, he is not saying we won't be able to make a SAM. The question is, how can you say it will be better than the S400? To date, I don't think there is even one single missile system made by DRDO which is a leader in its category, or even in the top 3 (wherever the US, Russia, and Israel make similar systems). So, it is doubtful that DRDO can make anything that will be above par. Of course, our brave soldiers will nonetheless be forced to buy it and fight with it.

 

[Akshat]

I understand your concern. But, just think, they are fighting a huge war. So, delays will happen, yet they are trying their best.

It's not like the delay of the GE F404 engines. It slowed down the production and induction of the LCA Tejas Mk1 into the Indian Air Force, affecting modernization efforts. This delay increased dependence on older aircraft, leading to operational challenges. It also extended the program's development timeline, raised costs, and affected India's goal of becoming self-reliant in defense manufacturing.

The S400 delay, however, didn't cause almost no damage to our forces at all, so just get your priorities right.

HAL has not even delivered the older trainer jets for which engines have been delivered in 2020. So till now, there is a delay of exactly 0 days due to GE. Once HAL delivers all the older jets, then the delays can be attributed to GE. Till then it's all on HAL.

S400 delay on the other hand is entirely on Russia who didn't deliver our systems due to their idiotic war.

 

[kumar]

What we want, nobody is ready to offer. When we are nearing completion with our own product, everybody comes running in with a total offer. In this case too, the tech transfer is for key systems.

 

[Sridhar]

Again, he is not saying we won't be able to make a SAM. The question is, how can you say it will be better than the S400? To date, I don't think there is even one single missile system made by DRDO which is a leader in its category, or even in the top 3 (wherever the US, Russia, and Israel make similar systems). So, it is doubtful that DRDO can make anything that will be above par. Of course, our brave soldiers will nonetheless be forced to buy it and fight with it.

DRDO Anti-Satellite missile Shakti, Varunastra, Astra MK1, Pinaka, AKASH Mk1, and MG are world-class weapons. If a country could export AKASH and Pinaka Rocket systems, that means they are of international standard.

 

[Akshat]

DRDO Anti-Satellite missile Shakti, Varunastra, Astra MK1, Pinaka, AKASH Mk1, and MG are world-class weapons. If a country could export AKASH and Pinaka Rocket systems, that means they are of international standard.

Again I ask, which one of these is a category leader? Can you name a single country that had any other options and chose to import Akash over alternatives from the US, or Russia, or Israel? The country that imported these also imported them when they had no other option. So no, it doesn't mean these missiles are of international standard. It just means that we have a missile that no one wants unless and until nothing else is available.

 

[Sridhar]

Again I ask, which one of these is a category leader? Can you name a single country that had any other options and chose to import Akash over alternatives from the US, or Russia, or Israel? The country that imported these also imported them when they had no other option. So no, it doesn't mean these missiles are of international standard. It just means that we have a missile that no one wants unless and until nothing else is available.

If possible, could you create a ranking for weapons manufactured by other countries? And, again, you should know India has exported AKASH, PINAKA, and ATAGS. So, there are buyers of Indian-made weapons. Armenia did ask for PRALAY, but India declined. So, Indian missiles do have a demand. You can keep asking lots of questions. That's your right, but you cannot expect answers for all. That's my choice.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

Delivery of two squadron of S-400 is still pending and delivery date uncertain due Russia busy with Ukraine yet it's trying to convince India on ToT to produce locally. Not a good suggestion from Russia.

 

[Vaibzzz]

Again, he is not saying we won't be able to make a SAM. The question is, how can you say it will be better than the S400? To date, I don't think there is even one single missile system made by DRDO which is a leader in its category, or even in the top 3 (wherever the US, Russia, and Israel make similar systems). So, it is doubtful that DRDO can make anything that will be above par. Of course, our brave soldiers will nonetheless be forced to buy it and fight with it.

These systems get better iteratively. Don't compare us with these countries, as they have been pumping money and talent into the defense sector. But if we don't develop our own systems now, then do you expect us to become the best straightaway? That's not how it works.

 

[Vaibzzz]

Again I ask, which one of these is a category leader? Can you name a single country that had any other options and chose to import Akash over alternatives from the US, or Russia, or Israel? The country that imported these also imported them when they had no other option. So no, it doesn't mean these missiles are of international standard. It just means that we have a missile that no one wants unless and until nothing else is available.

You are harping on the US, Russia, and Israel. Can we rely on these countries to give assurance that they will give supplies in any geopolitical situation? No. So, only locally developed systems are reliable. Also, it will help in capability improvement and also generate local employment.

 

[Rajesh]

When u have 5 system with 0 ToT and 0 local production of spares it is a good deal so we could manufacture the sapare ourselves. We can absorb the ToT and use them to improve it on our system if required.

 

[P2S2]

Throw money and time at our own project, Kusha, as we will make mistakes while developing it, but we will learn and can create a better system than the S-400.

That is it. It looks like their spies have noticed Project Kusha; that is why they are offering it to us now.

A friend in need is a friend in deed. Russia is struggling against the odds, we need to assist. It's a win win situation. Build state of the art production facilities for S-400/500. Give DRDO time to look at shifting tactics in battles and come up with Super Kusha to prepare for the UNKNOWN.