India abandons Russian weapons in favor of the latest US developments – Bloomberg

India has sharply reduced orders for military equipment from Russia and is now buying more from Western suppliers. This is a significant change in policy for a country that traditionally depends on weapons from Moscow.

RBC-Ukraine reports this with reference to Bloomberg.

Plans by India and Russia to jointly develop and produce helicopters and advanced fighter jets were shelved some time ago, senior Indian officials told the agency.

A separate proposal to lease a nuclear submarine from Russia to train Indian crews is also unlikely to materialize, they said, noting that the South Asian country is building its own ships. Two warships and a missile defense battery, which were ordered before the war in Ukraine, are the only outstanding items that New Delhi has yet to receive from Moscow.

India, the world's largest arms importer, is buying less and less from Russia. Only 36% of India's arms imports came from Russia last year, down from 76% in 2009, according to a March report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

India's move to divest from Russian weapons underscores Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to steadily reduce its dependence on Moscow, even as his government continues to buy cheap energy from Russia and provide diplomatic support to Vladimir Putin. At the same time, India has moved closer to the US defense orbit, providing an anchor for the relationship just as Donald Trump takes office, threatening higher tariffs.

US Procurement

New Delhi’s rejection of Russia has helped US suppliers. According to SIPRI, India is now buying more from Western companies and is trying to develop its own weapons with the support of the US and France. Over the past two decades, Washington has eased restrictions that prevent developing countries from accessing advanced technologies.

India has signed contracts worth about $20 billion for US-made products since 2018, according to a report by the US Congressional Research Service. In October, the South Asian country gave the green light to a deal worth more than $3 billion to supply 31 long-range drones made by US defense giant General Atomics.

India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and General Electric Co. are also close to signing a deal to jointly produce an advanced version of jet engines for the next generation of light combat aircraft, Indian officials said on condition of anonymity. The government agreed to the terms of the partnership during Modi's state visit to the United States last year.

Cheap Russian weapons

Russian weapons are often cheaper than Western ones. But they need frequent repairs, which affects their appeal and makes them more expensive in the long run, another senior Indian official said.

“India is gradually moving to Western-origin platforms as the military becomes more accustomed to such technology,” said Anit Mukherjee, a senior lecturer at King's College London who specializes in Indian military and foreign policy.

The pivot toward Moscow is a defining feature of Modi's foreign policy. He highlights India's efforts to balance ties with Russia, which sells cheap oil to New Delhi, and the United States, which helps boost defense production and add jobs in the South Asian country.

The war in Ukraine has accelerated India’s reduction in purchases of Russian weapons. The delay in the delivery of the missile shields is evidence of Russia’s strained capabilities, said Sushant Singh, a professor of South Asian studies at Yale University.

Russia’s ties with China have further complicated the equation. “The Russian defense industry’s dependence on Chinese electronics is problematic and a worrying signal for India,” Mukherjee said.

Nevertheless, New Delhi and Moscow jointly produce rifles and missiles in India, and Russia remains the South Asian country’s largest supplier of military equipment. However, the bulk of imports consist of spare parts to keep its aging equipment operational. This includes everything from basic rifles to army tanks and India's main fighter.

“They will be in service for decades and India will need spare parts and ammunition from Russia for a long time to come,” Singh said.

New Delhi's fighter fleet is steadily shrinking as it faces two hostile neighbors, China and Pakistan.

In addition, India remains dependent on Russia for its nuclear capabilities.

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