India, Russia Defence Ministers to meet — S-500 missile system acquisition on agenda

NEW DELHI — Defence ministers of India and Russia are set to meet on December 4, 2025, on the sidelines of the annual India–Russia Annual Summit. The key item on their agenda is the potential future acquisition of the S-500 missile defence system. 

Alongside S-500, the meeting will review ongoing cooperation and discuss procurement of additional units of the earlier-acquired S-400 Triumf air-defence system, including pending deliveries under the 2018 contract. 

The proposed S-500 deal — if it moves forward — would mark a significant upgrade to India’s long-range missile-defence capabilities, given the system’s advanced interception range and modern technology. 

The defence review comes at a time when India and Russia aim to reaffirm their “special and privileged strategic partnership,” leveraging shared interests in defence, technology and global security.