Even as the United States has expressed discomfort over India’s close defence ties with Russia, Moscow continues to remain a crucial pillar of India’s military capabilities. While New Delhi is increasingly diversifying its defence procurement and strengthening domestic manufacturing, Russian equipment still forms a significant part of India’s arsenal.
According to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India ranked as the second-largest arms importer globally between 2021 and 2025, accounting for 8.2 percent of worldwide arms imports.
Russia still the largest supplier
The SIPRI report shows that Russia continues to dominate India’s arms imports, providing around 40 percent of the country’s defence equipment during the 2021–25 period. Although this share has declined from nearly 70 percent in 2011–15, Moscow still remains India’s biggest defence supplier by a wide margin.
The report also highlighted that India’s arms imports are largely driven by security concerns related to China and Pakistan, which continue to shape defence planning in the region.
Data from SIPRI indicates that nearly three-quarters of Russia’s total arms exports during this period were delivered to three countries—India, China, and Belarus—with India accounting for the largest share.
Diversification of defence partners
Over the past decade, India has taken steps to diversify its defence partnerships by signing deals with several Western countries.
Recent agreements include a 2025 deal with France for 26 Rafale-Marine fighter jets for the Indian Navy, along with associated weapons systems, simulators, and logistical support.
India has also partnered with companies from the United States and Europe. A notable agreement includes the wet leasing of a KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft from US-based Metrea Management to train Indian Air Force and Navy pilots.
In addition, several joint production initiatives are underway. French engine manufacturer Safran is collaborating with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to develop the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) and maintenance facilities for aircraft engines. Airbus has also established an assembly line in India for its H125 helicopter.
Push for domestic defence production
India is simultaneously accelerating its push for indigenous defence manufacturing under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative.
The Union Budget for 2026–27 allocated ₹7.85 lakh crore to defence, marking a 15.19 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. Out of this amount, ₹1.39 lakh crore has been earmarked for domestic procurement, with about 75 percent of the capital acquisition budget reserved for Indian companies.
Several major defence platforms are already produced in India under licence. These include T-90 tanks and Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, while the BrahMos cruise missile, jointly developed with Russia, remains one of the most successful defence collaborations between the two countries.
Continued reliance on Russian systems
Despite diversification, India still relies heavily on Russian military platforms. The Indian armed forces operate hundreds of Russian-origin systems, including fighter aircraft, tanks, submarines, and air defence systems.
Among the most notable is the S-400 air defence system, capable of intercepting multiple targets at ranges of up to 400 kilometres. Discussions are reportedly ongoing for additional advanced systems and possible future cooperation on next-generation platforms.
There have also been reports that the Indian Air Force is evaluating the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter, with Russia offering extensive technology transfer and potential licensed production in India.
Strategic partnership and military cooperation
Defence cooperation between India and Russia extends beyond equipment purchases. The two countries regularly conduct joint military exercises and collaborate on logistics and operational support.
During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December 2025, both countries ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS), allowing mutual access to military facilities, airfields, and naval bases.
Joint exercises such as the INDRA military drills and India’s participation in Russia’s Zapad exercises highlight the operational integration between the two armed forces.
A multi-aligned strategy
Indian officials have repeatedly stressed that defence procurement decisions are based on operational requirements rather than geopolitical pressure.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh recently stated that India would continue to procure equipment from multiple partners, including Russia, France, and the United States, depending on strategic needs.
Despite global sanctions on Russia and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the India-Russia defence partnership remains deeply rooted, combining technology sharing, joint production, and long-term military cooperation.
Experts say this multi-layered partnership ensures that Russia continues to play a critical role in India’s defence strategy even as New Delhi strengthens domestic manufacturing and expands ties with Western suppliers.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
