A frame grab taken from footage released by Russia's Defence Ministry November 26, 2015, shows a Russian S-400 defense missile system deployed at Hmeymim airbase in Syria. (Reuters Photo)
Defence Acquisition Council has cleared the purchase of five S-400 air defence systems from Russia, two defence ministry sources said today.
One of the sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the deal is expected to cost around 300 billion rupees ($4.52 billion) but that the final price tag would be negotiated during the procurement process.
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.
© Thomson Reuters 2015