India has reduced its reliance on Russian weapons, with only 36% of its arms imports coming from Russia last year compared to 76% in 2009, according to a Bloomberg report on December 3.
Indian officials confirmed that plans for joint development and production of helicopters and advanced fighter jets with Russia have been postponed.
A proposal to lease a Russian submarine for training purposes is also unlikely as India focuses on building its own vessels.
Despite the shift, India will still receive two warships and missile defense systems under pre-existing contracts signed before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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Strengthening U.S. Ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been working to reduce dependency on Moscow while maintaining access to discounted Russian energy and diplomatic ties with President Vladimir Putin.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has increasingly turned to Western manufacturers, particularly the U.S. and France, for defense needs. Since 2018, India has signed nearly $20 billion in contracts with U.S. defense companies.
In October, India agreed to a $3 billion deal for 31 long-range drones from U.S. defense giant General Atomics.
Additionally, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd is nearing a deal with General Electric to co-produce advanced jet engines following Modi’s state visit to the U.S.
Ongoing Russian Partnerships
Despite its diversification, India maintains a strategic defense relationship with Russia, including co-production of rifles and missiles. Russia also remains India’s largest arms supplier and the only nation offering nuclear submarine technology, a crucial capability for India’s defense strategy.
“Russia remains the only country willing to offer India nuclear submarines,” said Anit Mukherjee, a senior lecturer at King’s College London. “India’s partnership with the West will remain incomplete until both sides can address nuclear issues.”
