India shifts defense strategy toward joint manufacturing with Russia

India and Russia have initiated discussions for joint arms production, aiming to restructure their defense relationship by partially replacing direct weapons purchases with collaborative development and manufacturing projects.

According to the Reuters news agency, this move could impact Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to transform the country into a major manufacturing hub with the participation of Western defense companies.

It is noted that the confrontational policies pursued by Donald Trump have pushed Modi closer to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

A delegation of Indian defense industry representatives visited Russia on October 29-30, marking the first such visit since Putin launched the war in Ukraine.

According to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters, the delegation included at least half a dozen senior executives from leading arms manufacturers.

Private and public defense companies, as well as startups developing military drones and artificial intelligence, participated in the discussions.

Joint production facilities on the agenda

The primary purpose of the visit was to discuss joint ventures. Key topics on the table included the production of spare parts for MiG-29 fighter jets and Russian air defense systems.

The Russian side also proposed building capacity in India to develop military equipment that could be exported back to Russia in the future.

During Putin’s visit to India following these talks, the parties announced a shift in the direction of their partnership.

The two countries agreed to focus on the “joint development and production of advanced defense technologies and systems” to enhance India’s self-sufficiency.

Major companies at the negotiating table

Among those participating in the Moscow talks was a senior executive from Bharat Forge, a company within the Kalyani Group that produces components for missiles and artillery ammunition.

This executive discussed the potential joint development of parts for tanks, aircraft, and helicopters.

Adani Defence and Aerospace, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, was represented by its General Director, Ashish Rajvanshi. An executive from the Indian Defence Manufacturers Association was also present at the meetings.

An Adani Group representative denied that executives from any of its companies had attended these meetings.

The Indian Ministry of Defence, which Reuters reported was represented by Sanjeev Kumar, who is responsible for military production, and other companies did not respond to requests for comment.

According to a senior Indian executive, companies will cautiously evaluate potential defense deals with Russia due to the risk of secondary sanctions.

A deepening of cooperation with Moscow could also hinder the progress of projects with Western companies.

Western diplomats have previously stated that India’s ties with Russia and its vast inventory of Russian weapons are the main obstacles to transferring military technology to the country.

Decline in import data

The joint production of missiles and Kalashnikov assault rifles is already underway in Indian factories.

However, due to delays in the supply of AK-203 assembly kits from Russia, the New Delhi government previously had to purchase 73,000 rifles from the US.

India has reduced its arms purchases in recent years. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia accounted for 76% of India’s arms imports in the 2009-2013 period, but this figure dropped to 36% in the 2019-2023 period.