Russia will deliver the second batch of S-400 missile defence systems to China by sea in late July this year

"The transport vehicle with the first batch of equipment from the second S-400 regimental set for China will put to sea in the Baltic in late July this year, that is almost five months earlier than the term set in the contract,” TASS reported quoting a military-diplomatic source as saying Wednesday.

"At least three marine vessels will be used to deliver the systems to China," the source added.

The deadline for the dispatch of the second and the third ships were not revealed by the source.

China and Russia concluded a deal for the procurement of four to six S-400 units in November 2014 for $3 billion, according to The Diplomat.

The contract specifically precludes technology transfers and licensed production of Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defense system. However, neither the exact number of units nor the types of missiles slated to be delivered to China have been revealed by Russia.

Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation did not confirm the information provided by the source to TASS.

TASS