India shifts its focus from Russian weaponry while maintaining robust connections.
India is actively working to reduce its reliance on Russia, its primary arms supplier, due to disruptions caused by the conflict in Ukraine. The aim is to diversify its weapons procurement and avoid straining ties with the United States, which seeks to strengthen its Indo-Pacific alliances as a countermeasure against China’s growing influence. Over the past two decades, Russia has supplied 65% of India’s weapons, totaling more than $60 billion, as per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. However, the ongoing war in Ukraine has accelerated India’s efforts to broaden its sources of military equipment.
Nandan Unnikrishnan, a Russia expert at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, emphasized that major military deals with Russia are unlikely, as it could be a sensitive issue with Washington. Despite Moscow’s offers, including advanced weaponry like Kamov helicopters and Sukhoi/MiG fighter jets with potential joint manufacturing in India, Indian sources, speaking anonymously, suggest a reluctance to engage in significant military agreements with Russia.
India’s shift away from Russian arms aligns with its interest in boosting domestic production through collaborations with Western technology providers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” program aims to promote domestic manufacturing, a strategy reinforced by recent agreements with the United States, such as the deal with General Electric for engine production. The U.S. and India are also fast-tracking technology cooperation, particularly in areas like air combat and intelligence.
The strained relations between India and China, evident in the ongoing border standoff, further incentivize India to strengthen ties with the United States. The geopolitical landscape and concerns over the operational readiness of Russian-supplied equipment during the Ukraine war have fueled India’s determination to diversify its arms sources.
India faces a delicate balancing act, as it remains the largest buyer of Russian arms and a significant purchaser of Russian oil since 2022. Severing these ties could potentially draw Moscow closer to Beijing, India’s only other major economic partner. Experts highlight the influence that arms purchases afford, and a strategic approach is necessary to prevent Russia from becoming overly reliant on China.
While Russia continues to express interest in deepening defense ties with India, the latter is exploring alternative options, including French jets for aircraft carriers and collaborations for submarines and fighter jets with various Western nations. The goal is to maintain a multi-aligned approach, balancing ties with Russia and the West, though not necessarily in equal distribution.
Recent discussions between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indian counterpart S. Jaishankar in December 2023 highlighted prospects for military and technical cooperation. However, progress has been limited, with delays in joint projects and India’s increasing focus on domestic defense production. Challenges, including delays in the delivery of major platforms and air defense systems, have underscored the need for India to diversify its sources for military hardware and spare parts.
