India decided to abandon Russian weapons, preferring American ones

India began purchasing weapons from Western suppliers, sharply reducing orders from Russia.

How reports Bloomberg, last year only 36% of weapons came from Russia to India, while in 2009 this figure was 76%. For India, which has traditionally purchased weapons from Russia, this is a significant policy change. Previously, the two countries' plans to jointly develop and produce helicopters and modern fighter jets were also postponed. This was reported by senior Indian officials familiar with the situation.

They note that the proposal to lease a submarine from Russia to train the Indian crew will also probably not be implemented. India builds its own ships. The only thing it still has to receive from Moscow are two warships and batteries for an anti-missile shield, ordered before the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Such a policy, the rejection of Russian weapons, emphasizes the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce dependence on Moscow, the publication notes. Although the Indian government continues to buy cheap energy resources from the Russian Federation and provide diplomatic support to the Russian president.

According to SIPRI, India is now buying more weapons from Western companies and is also trying to produce its own – with support from the US and France. Over the past twenty years, Washington has eased restrictions that prevent developing countries from gaining access to advanced technologies.

Since 2018, India has awarded $20 billion in contracts for products made in the United States, a Congressional Research Service report said. In October this year, it agreed a deal worth more than $3 billion for 31 long-range drones made by US defense giant General Atomics.

The Indian state-owned company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and the American corporation General Electric Co are close to signing an agreement on joint production of an improved version of jet engines for light combat aircraft. The authorities agreed on the terms of the partnership during Modi's state visit to the United States last year.

However, New Delhi and Moscow continue to jointly produce rifles and missiles. The Russian Federation still remains the largest supplier of military equipment for the South Asian country. India still depends on Russia regarding its nuclear potential. Anit Mukherjee, a senior lecturer at King's College London who specializes in Indian military and foreign policy, sums it up:

“Russia remains the only country that offers India its nuclear submarines. India's partnership with Western countries will be incomplete until both sides find a way to discuss nuclear issues.”

It is worth recalling here that China, India and Türkiye, which became the largest buyers of Russian coal after the EU embargo, have sharply reduced purchases from Russia since the beginning of 2024. India has refused to purchase liquefied natural gas from the Arctic LNG 2 project due to sanctions.

India has become Russia's second-largest supplier of critical technology after China amid sanctions, according to European and American officials.

At the beginning of this year our publication reported that 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.

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.

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.

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