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Modi, Narendra

India's Reliance on Russia for Military Equipment Limits Its Support for Ukraine

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

India's military's reliance on Russian-made equipment constrains the country's ability to support Ukraine, despite the US's efforts to strengthen ties with its Indian counterpart. The BrahMos missile, a joint India-Russia collaboration, is a prime example of India's long-standing relationship with Russia. Developed in the 1990s, the missile is a key component of India's military strategy, allowing it to attack multiple targets simultaneously. India has also procured Russian-made aircraft, nuclear submarines, and Kalashnikov rifles, among other equipment. Military trade between the two nations dates back to the 1960s, with Russia providing about 85% of India's military arsenal.

Key Takeaways:

  • India remains dependent on Russia for spare parts and maintenance for decades to come, making it difficult to transition away from Russian-made equipment.
  • The Indian military imports 45% of its equipment from Russia, down from nearly two-thirds from the previous five years, with US supplies representing only 1% of the Indian army's equipment and 4% of the navy and air force's equipment.
  • US officials have been trying to reduce Russia's dominance of the Indian market, with discussions underway about deals for armed drones and jointly producing fighter jet engines with General Electric.
  • India has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with experts attributing this to its long-standing reliance on Russia for military equipment.
  • Indian military officials and planners have historically been wary of the US due to its decision to side with Pakistan during the 1971 war with India, and this mistrust has contributed to India's continued reliance on Russia.
  • The nuclear deal finalized in 2008 marked a major turning point in India-US relations, but the US still has concerns about India's nuclear ambitions, and the India-Russia relationship remains deep and influential.

Statistics:

  • 1980s: Russia begins to openly extend nuclear technology sharing with India
  • 2008: The nuclear deal is finalized, marking a major turning point in India-US relations
  • 2014: Russia annexes Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and interferes in the 2016 US elections, leading to increased US sanctions on countries buying Russian equipment
  • 2017: US adopts sanctions restricting the sharing of American technology with countries that buy certain Russian equipment
  • 2018-2022: Estimated value of Russian weapons sold to India is four times that of American weapons
  • 45%: Percentage of India's military imports from Russia, down from nearly two-thirds in the previous five years
  • 1%: Percentage of Indian army's equipment that is US-made
  • 4%: Percentage of Indian navy and air force's equipment that is US-made
  • 2065: Some Russian-made fighter aircraft could remain in India's arsenal until this year

Sources:

  • The Washington Post
  • U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
  • Center for Strategic and International Studies
  • Center for a New American Security
  • Jawaharlal Nehru University
  • The Pentagon

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