Russia can supply its state-of-the-art anti-aircraft missile system S-500 to both India and China in the coming times. Dmitry Shugaev, director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), has given this information. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the first batch of indigenously-built S-500 missile systems would be received soon. According to Shugaev, once the Russian Armed Forces have sufficient availability of this state-of-the-art air defence missile system, this system can be exported to other countries.
In a conversation with RBC News, Shugaev said that we are considering giving this defence system to all our old allies with India and China and with whom we have mutual relations. The official said that the FSMTC will look into each and every request to get this system. The S-500 is Russia's state-of-the-art air defence missile system. The S-500 Air Defense System is an improved version of the S-400. Its range is about 600 km (370) more than the S-400. The S-400 has a range of 400 km. The S-500 can intercept and deactivate ICBMs as well as hypersonic cruise missiles and aircraft.
India has tied up with Russia for air defence systems. Russia is understood to begin supplying the S-400 air defence system later this year. However, America is also eyeing this deal. There is a danger of US sanctions on India if the deal with Russia goes ahead. The US Secretary of State has pointed this out. However, there is also a group of lawmakers in America who believe that India should get this missile system to counter China. US lawmakers have also spoken of giving relief to India from CAATSA.