India has decided to reduce military-technical cooperation with the Russian Federation, whose ability to fulfill obligations under existing contracts has been undermined by the war in Ukraine, in favor of the United States.
About it reports Reuters, citing its sources in the government of the republic: New Delhi intends to distance itself from its once largest supplier and abandon major arms deals. The pivot to the West comes as Russia’s ability to meet its obligations is weakening and US influence is growing in the Indo-Pacific region. Nandan Unnikrishnan, a Russia expert at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi think tank, said:
“We are unlikely to sign any major military deal with Russia. This would be a red line for Washington.”
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russian arms exports to India have decreased by 37% over the past five years. Although Moscow has repeatedly offered New Delhi to conclude new deals, including for the supply of Kamov helicopters and Sukhoi fighter jets, and hoped to launch joint production of weapons, Reuters sources say.
Over the past 20 years, India has spent approximately $60 billion on the purchase of weapons, and more than 65% of these supplies were provided by the Russian Federation. However, its invasion of Ukraine has forced a search for other channels for defense cooperation, says Swasti Rao, an expert on Eurasia at the state-run Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses:
“As the war in Ukraine drags on, questions arise about whether Russia will be able to supply us with spare parts. This encourages diversification.”
Moscow has publicly called on India to step up military cooperation, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has focused on domestic production using Western technology. The Republic expects to spend about $100 billion on defense orders over the next ten years.
India, for example, is considering buying French jets for its newest aircraft carrier and wants to produce submarines using French, German or Spanish technology, as well as fighter jets with American and French engines, sources say. Rao emphasizes:
“India’s multilateral orientation will continue to share ties with Russia and balance them with the West, but it will not be an equal distribution.”
Earlier, the United States and India agreed to jointly produce F414 engines developed by General Electric for Indian new generation fighters. Similar units are installed on American F-18s, and the US willingness to share such secret technology with India was assessed as a sign of increased trust between the two countries. Delhi also plans to purchase several dozen American MQ-9B Reaper drones for more than $3 billion.
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