In an interesting turn of events, executives from some major Indian defence firms, including Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, visited Russia this year for meetings about potential joint ventures. This marks the first time Indian defence leaders have gone to Russia since the Ukraine war began in 2022. The Indian government is trying to shift its defence ties with Russia from merely purchasing weapons to actively collaborating on development and production.
Any collaboration with Russia might complicate India’s growing defence ties with Western nations. Many Western diplomats have pointed out that India’s heavy reliance on Russian weapons, which account for about 36% of its military gear, is a major obstacle to sharing advanced technologies. This dependency affects how foreign nations transfer technology to India.
The recent discussions took place alongside a visit from an Indian defence delegation led by Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar. This delegation was preparing for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to India in December.
While company representatives have denied attending these meetings, sources indicate that the talks focused on several key areas:
– Manufacturing spare parts for Russian military equipment, like the MiG-29 fighter jet.
– Joint production for air defense systems and other military hardware.
– A proposal from Russia to establish manufacturing facilities in India for equipment that could also be sent back to Russia.
The delegation included representatives from both major private defence firms and start-ups specializing in drones and artificial intelligence. Bharat Forge reportedly expressed interest in opportunities relating to tanks, aircraft, and possible helicopter collaborations.
Historically, Russia has been India’s primary arms supplier. During recent discussions, both sides agreed to refocus their defence partnership on joint research and development, co-development, and co-production. This aligns with India’s goal of becoming more self-sufficient in defence manufacturing.
However, there’s a level of caution among Indian companies. Partnering with Russia introduces risks, particularly concerning possible sanctions from Western countries. In 2024, a Bharat Forge subsidiary faced diplomatic backlash after exporting artillery shells to Europe, which were later used in the Ukraine conflict. This incident has heightened awareness of political risks among Indian firms.
Experts suggest that while India can navigate diplomatic relations to mitigate these risks, ultimately, companies must carefully consider the political and economic implications of any new partnerships with Russia. The world of global defence is complex, and the interplay between various nations adds layers of difficulty for India’s strategic pursuits.
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