The Defense Procurement Council of the Indian Defense Ministry has approved the purchase of additional Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems for its air force, it said in a statement.

"The S-400 system will counter enemy long-range air vectors targeting vital areas," the Indian Defense Ministry said.

The ministry did not specify the number of the systems it will buy.

The meeting of the Defense Procurement Council was chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Under the military procurement procedure, following the approval, price is negotiated, after which a contract is signed.

The Russian S-400 is already in service with the Indian army. In 2018, New Delhi signed a $5.43 billion agreement to purchase five S-400 units. The delivery of the two remaining systems under this contract is expected this year.