India could be first foreign buyer of S-500 system: Russian Deputy PM

India could be the first foreign buyer of the S-500 ‘Prometei’ air defence system, Russian deputy prime minister Yury Borisov has indicated.

“Beyond a doubt, once we deliver this system to our troops, India will be the first on the list, if it expresses its desire to buy these advanced armaments,” Borisov told Russian RuRBC TV Channel recently, on being asked whether India would be the first country to purchase the S-500.

Borisov leads the Russian side at the bilateral Joint Economic Commission with external affairs minister S Jaishankar.


The remarks come as Russia has started delivery of the S-400 Triumf surface to air missile system to India, under a more than $5 billion deal signed by New Delhi and Moscow in 2018.

ET reported earlier this month that two S-400 systems have been shipped and would be deployed between January and March next year, while the remaining three will arrive by next September

In July, the Russian defence ministry had announced the successful test launch of the S-500 air defence system against a fast-moving ballistic target at Kapustin Yar proving ground.

The S-500 anti-aircraft missile system is reportedly designed to strike all existing and future aerospace attack weapons of a potential enemy at all altitudes and speeds. Russia has been training specialists to operate the S-500 since 2017.

S-500 is Russia's most advanced new generation surface-to-air missile system capable of intercepting Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). It can also target hypersonic cruise missiles and intercept ballistic missiles within a range of 600 kilometres. It can be deployed easily and has an airborne engagement range of 400-500 kms.

It can also target spacecraft including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).