NEW DELHI: India and Russia agreed on Thursday to further expand their broad defence partnership, with plans for collaboration in advanced military technologies and strengthened defence-industrial cooperation. The move signals that Moscow is likely to remain New Delhi’s primary arms supplier for the foreseeable future, reports Rajat Pandit.
Ahead of the Modi-Putin summit, defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov emphasized that the partnership rests on “a deep sense of trust, common principles and mutual respect,” as the two sides signed a protocol outlining “ongoing and prospective areas” of defence cooperation.
The 22nd meeting of the inter-governmental commission on military and military-technical cooperation, co-chaired by the ministers, reaffirmed India’s commitment to maintaining strategic autonomy, even as the US and EU increase pressure on New Delhi to scale back its ties with Moscow.
S-500 Supply ‘Difficult’ for Now, Says Official
According to sources, discussions covered a wide range of potential acquisitions—from additional S-400 Triumf air defence systems and their surface-to-air missiles to upgrades for the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30MKI fleet, including the integration of long-range R-37 and RVV-BD air-to-air missiles.
Talks also included joint production of advanced BrahMos supersonic cruise missile variants, and procurement of short-range Pantsir systems and Verba man-portable air defence systems.
“It will be difficult for Russia to provide the advanced S-500 air defence systems at this stage, even if India requests them. The fifth-generation Su-57 fighters are on offer as well, but India has yet to decide,” an official said.
Highlighting the “special and privileged strategic partnership” with Russia, Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s resolve to expand domestic defence manufacturing and boost exports under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Belousov said Russia was ready to support India’s push toward self-reliance, noting the countries’ long-standing strategic cooperation.
India also pressed Russia to speed up delivery of critical defence hardware delayed due to the Ukraine conflict—including the final two S-400 squadrons out of the five contracted for $5.43 billion in 2018, and the advanced Akula-class nuclear attack submarine that was due this year under a $3 billion lease agreement. “Russia says the two S-400 squadrons will be delivered next year, while the submarine is expected in 2028,” a source said.
India is planning to acquire five additional S-400 squadrons, and the defence ministry has approved a ₹10,000 crore purchase of 280 S-400 missiles with ranges of 120 km, 200 km, 250 km, and 380 km—meant to replenish stocks used in the May 7–10 cross-border clashes with Pakistan and to build reserves.
The IAF is also seeking R-37 missiles (range over 200 km) and the advanced RVV-BD variant for its upgraded Sukhoi-30MKIs. These are intended to counter Pakistan’s deployment of Chinese-origin J-10 fighters armed with PL-15 long-range missiles, which initially surprised India during Operation Sindoor.
Advanced, lighter versions of the BrahMos missile—whose range has already increased from 290 km to 450 km, with plans to reach 800 km—are also under consideration. While Sukhoi fighters armed with BrahMos conducted long-range precision strikes on Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the upcoming air-launched BrahMos-NG will allow lighter jets to carry the weapon as well.
Over the years, contracts with BrahMos Aerospace—the Indo-Russian joint venture—have surpassed ₹58,000 crore. The 2.8 Mach supersonic missile has become the primary conventional precision-strike weapon for the Indian Air Force, Navy, and Army.
