No contract yet exists even in its draft form on the delivery of Russia’s S-400 antiaircraft missile systems to India, Kremlin aide for military and technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin said on Thursday.

"So far, there are neither deadlines nor a draft contract," he said in reply to the corresponding question.

Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar announced last week the country’s Defense Acquisition Council had approved the purchase of five S-400 Triumf antiaircraft missile systems planned to become operational with the Indian Armed Forces in 2017-2022.

Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Vladimir Drozhzhov told the media in late March this year that Russia had prepared a draft agreement on the delivery of S-400 systems and transferred it to Indian partners for signing.

The S-400 Triumf is the newest long-range antiaircraft missile system that went into service in 2007.

It is designed to destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles, and can also be used against ground objectives.

The S-400 can engage targets at a distance of 400 km and at an altitude of up to 30 km.