Moscow: India’s defence partnership with Russia continues to grow stronger, defying ongoing speculation. A major portion of the arms and equipment used by the Indian Armed Forces are of Russian origin, making the strategic partnership with Russia extremely important for India.
During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Qingdao, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries. It is important to note that the meeting comes at a time when the Western sanctions against Russia and threats to penalize countries doing business with it.
The United States has been regularly issuing stern statements against India for maintaining relations with Russia. Former President Donald Trump’s party even threatened to impose tariffs on countries purchasing Russian fuel.
India-Russia Relationship:
According to Sputnik, citing the Russian Ministry of Defense (RuMoD), Belousov told Rajnath Singh during their meeting, “India is an extremely important strategic partner for us, a traditional friend, and a collaborator in military and military-technical areas.” Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he and Belousov had “a practical discussion on promoting India-Russia defense relations.”
India has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defense cooperation with Russia. The crucial role played by Russian weaponry in India’s success during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan has further paved the way for stronger military ties between the two nations.
Russian Weapons Aided India
During Operation Sindoor, when Indian Army Forces launched a lethal attack on Pakistan’s terror bases, the world’s fastest supersonic missile, BrahMos, inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani airstrips. According to the Indian officials, it created deep craters on the runways of Pakistani airbases and destroyed their aircraft hangars and radar sites.
It is important to note that BrahMos is a product of a joint venture between Russia and India. Additionally, the S-400 air defense system played a crucial role in protecting Indian military installations from Pakistani missile and drone attacks during the four-day conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised the performance of the S-400 during Operation Sindoor when he visited the Adampur Airbase on May 10.
India to Benefit from Su-57 Fighter Jets
Speaking to Sputnik, retired Indian Army Major Manik M Jolly said that soon after Operation Sindoor, a clear pro-Russia sentiment was observed in India. Jolly stated that the Indian Air Force (IAF) would greatly benefit from the acquisition of Su-57 fighter jets. He further added that India could gain significantly from the development of BrahMos II through the 3M22 Zircon missile hypersonic mission. Upgrading from ramjet to scramjet propulsion will significantly enhance the speed and capabilities of the BrahMos missile.
India May Acquire Voronezh Radar from Russia
Linganna also said, “To counter enemy drones, Russia could provide advanced radar systems like Container-S or Voronezh, which are capable of detecting hidden threats and drones from long distances. These partnerships could include joint development and manufacturing, addressing the immediate needs of the Indian Air Force.”