Putin's India Visit In December: Su-57, S-500 And Big Defence Deals On The Agenda

In what could be a defining moment for the future of India–Russia ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to arrive in New Delhi on December 5–6 for a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This

will be Putin’s first visit to India in years, and defence cooperation is expected to dominate the high-profile agenda.

Su-57 Offer to India

At the heart of the discussions will be Moscow’s keen push to involve India in its Su-57 fighter jet programme. The Su-57—Russia’s answer to America’s F-35—is a state-of-the-art fifth-generation stealth aircraft, built for dominance in the skies. Sources in the Russian government told Times Now that Moscow wants India to be a key partner, not just as a buyer but also in potential co-production. For the Indian Air Force, which is looking to modernise its fighter fleet in the face of challenges from China and Pakistan, Moscow’s latest proposal could open the doors to cutting-edge stealth aviation. India had earlier exited the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) programme but Russia is aiming to revive cooperation on fresh and favourable terms.

Missile Defence: From S-400 to S-500

Putin’s talks in New Delhi will also focus heavily on missile defence systems. Final deliveries of the game-changing S-400 Triumf, already contracted and partly delivered, will be reviewed during the summit. More importantly, Russia is likely to put its next-generation S-500 Prometey system on the table. Capable of intercepting hypersonic weapons and striking hostile aircraft and missiles at long range, the S-500 represents the most advanced tier of Russian air and missile defence. According to sources, Moscow is even considering India as a partner for co-development of the S-500, given New Delhi’s strategic significance and deep trust built over decades.

Strategic Timing of the Visit

Putin’s visit comes at a critical juncture for both nations. With the ongoing Ukraine conflict, unprecedented Western sanctions on Moscow, and Russia’s deepening alignment with China, India stands out as one of Russia’s few dependable partners. For New Delhi, balancing relations with Russia while expanding ties with the United States, France, and Israel remains a delicate strategic act. Despite Western pressure, India has continued to import Russian oil, advance joint energy projects, and push ahead with large-scale defence contracts. The December summit will not only reaffirm military cooperation but also send a clear message of Indo-Russian continuity in the face of changing geopolitical winds.

A Seven-Decade Defence Legacy

For over seventy years, Moscow has been New Delhi’s most important defence partner. From MiG fighters and T-90 tanks to the BrahMos missile and the S-400 shield, Russian systems form nearly 50 percent of India’s arsenal. While Western defence firms have made rapid inroads into India in recent years, Russia remains the backbone of the Indian military machine.

What Lies Ahead

If the Su-57 and S-500 talks make significant progress during Putin’s visit, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter in next-generation defence cooperation. For India, that means access to advanced stealth and missile defence technologies that could reshape its strategic posture in Asia. For Russia, it would reaffirm New Delhi as its most trusted and enduring partner at a time when Moscow’s global options are narrowing. Sources have confirmed to Times Now that both sides are preparing for “big-ticket announcements” on December 5–6. The world’s attention will now turn to New Delhi, as Putin and Modi sit down to set the tone for the next phase of this time-tested partnership.