India quietly seals missile deal with Russia despite U.S. warning, by Vladimir Soldatkin.

India agreed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 surface to air missile systems on Friday, the two sides said, as New Delhi disregarded U.S. warnings that such a purchase could trigger sanctions under U.S. law. …

The contract is estimated to be worth more than $5 billion and gives the Indian military the ability to shoot down aircraft and missiles at unprecedented ranges.

The United States has said countries trading with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors would face automatic sanctions under a sweeping legislation called Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Last month, the United States imposed sanctions on China’s military for its purchase of combat fighters as well as the S-400 missile system it bought from Russia this year.

India is hoping that President Donald Trump’s administration will give it a waiver on the weapons systems which New Delhi sees as a deterrent against China’s bigger and superior military. …

India has diversified arms purchases, closing $15 billion of deals with the United States over the last decade.

The S-400 is a big deal because it largely negates, or at least severely curtails, US airpower.

Also, Russia to construct six nuclear power plant units in India.

hat-tip Stephen Neil