India clears purchase of Russian air defence systems: Sources
According to sources, the deal is expected to cost around Rs 30,000 crore
 "S-400, Defense missile, Russia, India")
A frame grab taken from footage released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows a Russian S-400 defense missile system deployed at Hmeymim airbase in Syria. Photo: Reuters
India's Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the purchase of five S-400 air defence systems from Russia, two defence ministry sources said on Thursday.
One of the sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the deal is expected to cost around RS 30,000 crore ($4.52 billion) but that the final price tag would be negotiated during the procurement process.
India's air defences are old and outdated and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who heads to Moscow later this month to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, is keen to modernise the country's defences against airborne attacks.
($1 = 66.4225 Indian rupees)
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First Published: Dec 17 2015 | 5:20 PM IST