Russian Defense Solutions – View from India

Aero India expo traditionally is a major ground for demonstrating Russia’s aerospace industry’s latest developments. Russia is a major defense partner of India with large-scale projects implemented by Moscow and Delhi. For Moscow and Delhi the Bangalore airshow has always been a suitable ground for discussion of the on-going and future programs. The prospects and developments in Russia-India military cooperation, as well as the latest products of the Russian defense industry, are being constantly analyzed by both mainstream and specialized military media and expert community of India. Here is an overview of this coverage since Aero India 2023.

Aero India 2023

At Aero India 2023 Rosoboronexport exhibited about 200 advanced Russian-made samples of armaments and military hardware, including the advanced Su-57E fifth-generation multifunctional fighter, the IL-76MD-90A(E) military transport aircraft, the IL-78MK-90A tanker aircraft, the Su-35 and the Su-30SME super-maneuverable fighters, and the MiG-35D multifunctional frontline fighter.

‘The military-technical cooperation between Russia and India is an example of industrial partnership with a number of completed and ongoing joint projects for all services of the (Indian) armed forces,’ - quoted ABP News Alexander Mikheev, Rosoboronexport Director General.

He also said, ‘Today we are offering new points of cooperation within the joint development and production of high-tech products along with the Indian companies under the ‘Make in India’ program in compliance with all localisation and technology transfer requirements.’

StratPost made special emphasis on the unmanned aerial vehicles : ‘Range of Russian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) on offer includes the Orion-E reconnaissance/strike UAV, the Orlan-10E reconnaissance UAV and the Orlan-30, ‘a new product’.

The title of the Financial Express newspaper article spoke for itself: Global interest arises on the Russian weapons and military equipment.

‘The special military operation provided an opportunity for foreign specialists to see the use of Russian military products in real combat conditions and to be convinced of their high tactical and technical characteristics and reliability, which increased the partners’ interest in Russian weapons and military equipment’, - quoted the Financial Express the head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) of the Russian Federation Dmitry Shugaev.

The newspaper reminded that the military-technical cooperation between Russia and India began in the 1950s.

Financial Express: ‘Unlike Western countries cooperating with India in the field of defense products, only Russia is transferring technology for the production of modern weapons to the Indian side. This is clearly seen in the activities of the BrahMos Aerospace joint venture, which received technology from the Russian side for the production of BrahMos multi-purpose supersonic missiles’.

ARMY-2024

The Army-2024 International Military and Technical Forum expo in Russia also found significant coverage in the Indian media.

‘At Army 2024, ROSOBORONEXPORT presents Russian products for the most relevant segments of the global arms market today. At the forum we use a cluster approach to exhibiting state-of-the-art weapons and military equipment that have proved effective in real combat conditions,’ - quoted Aeromag Alexander Mikheev.

The media underlined, that this strategic presentation not only highlighted the latest technological advancements but also underscored their proven performance in real-world scenarios.

Aeromag: ‘Among the highlights were the Lancet-E loitering munition system, the upgraded SPTP2S25M (Sprut) light amphibious tank, and the MGTT-LB robotic multipurpose tracked transporter. These innovations reflect Rosoboronexport’s commitment to advancing defense technology and meeting diverse operational requirements. Organized into thematic segments, the exhibit allowed visitors to explore various categories of military equipment, including long-range weapons, fire control systems, armored combat vehicles, and specialized defense technologies. Key features included explosive reactive armor, active protection systems, and radar-absorbent camouflage kits, showcasing a range of solutions designed to enhance battlefield effectiveness and survivability’.

Defense Mirror dedicated a feature article to the Lancet-E system: ‘Lancet-E system is an export version of the Lancet loitering munition system that has proved effective on the battlefield. It consists of the Z-16-E reconnaissance drone and two kamikaze drones (loitering munitions), Item 51-E and Item 52-E, with different characteristics in terms of range and maximum takeoff weight’.

Kalashnikov Rifles for India

In January 2023 Rosoboronexport announced, that production of AK203 Kalashnikov assault rifles had started in India. In July 2024 it was announced that Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, registered and located in India, produced and transferred 35,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Ministry of Defence.

Times Now: ‘A version of the AK-200 rifle, the AK-203 assault rifles are manufactured in India in compliance with exclusive Russian technologies on certified equipment. The Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifle is a version of the AK-200 rifle chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge used in the Indian Army. The weapon has the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov assault rifles: reliability and ease of maintenance’ .

‘Rostec produces a wide range of weapons that have proved to be effective in real combat conditions, including the latest small arms. Today India is the first foreign customer to produce the "two hundredth" series of Kalashnikov assault rifles. Production has been deployed in India in full compliance with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-Reliant India) programs,’ - quoted Times Now Sergey Chemezov, Director General of Rostec.

Alphadefense: ‘As the two countries continue to implement military-technical cooperation projects, the focus remains on maximizing technological interaction and ensuring high-quality defense solutions. The Indo-Russian collaboration on the AK-203 assault rifles exemplifies the successful merging of technological expertise and strategic objectives, paving the way for future endeavors in the defense sector’.

The AK-200-series assault rifles have retained all the advantages of the traditional AK scheme: reliability, durability and ease of maintenance. At the same time, they fully meet the latest requirements for firearms in the world in terms of ergonomics and the ability to mount high-tech additional equipment.

Mango

In July 2024 Rosoboronexport announced that it established manufacturing of 3VBM17 Mango armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS) rounds in India

The ammunition is designed to defeat armored vehicles fitted with composite armor. The project is being implemented under the Make in India program. The 125mm Mango round is designed to be fired from the guns of T-72 and T-90 MBTs. Various versions of these combat vehicles are in service with the Indian Army.

‘As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow approaches on July 8-9, Russia has announced plans to manufacture ‘Mango’ armour-piercing tank rounds in India under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This development highlights the deepening military partnership between the two nations, focusing on enhancing India’s defence capabilities through local production,’ - reacted the Financial Express.

The manufacturing of Mango rounds in India represents a significant leap in defence collaboration between India and Russia, added the newspaper.

‘This initiative not only boosts India’s self-reliance in defence production but also strengthens the strategic partnership between the two nations, enhancing their collective security and defence capabilities’.

Indian Defence News: ‘According to Sergey Chemezov, Director General of Rostec, such partnerships involve technology transfer and knowledge exchange, fostering the development of production capabilities in importing countries. Chemezov highlighted previous collaborations with India, including licensed production of T-90 MBTs, Mango APFSDS projectiles, and other weapon systems’.

INS Tushil: from Russia to India

On 9th December 2024 Rosoboronexport handed over a Project 11356 frigate built by United Shipbuilding Corporation to the Indian Navy. The handover ceremony took place in Kaliningrad in the presence of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

NDTV: ‘Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and several other senior Indian officials were present at the commissioning ceremony. INS Tushil is expected to significantly bolster the Indian Navy's operational capability in the Indian Ocean. In his remarks at the ceremony, Mr Singh described the commissioning of the warship as a proud testament to India's growing maritime strength and a significant milestone in long-standing ties with Russia’.

‘Made in India content is continuously increasing in many ships including INS Tushil. The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies India’s journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship,’ - said the minister.

INS Tushil became the seventh Project 11356 frigate in the Indian Navy, suggesting the high effectiveness demonstrated by these ships and high confidence of the Indian Navy in Russia’s defence industry. The first six ships of the project are intensively and successfully performing their assigned tasks in various regions of the world’s ocean and have deserved high praise from the Indian Navy’s sailors and commanders.

Hindu: ‘Commissioning ceremony commenced with a joint Guard of Honour presented by the personnel from the ship’s crew and Russia’s Baltic Fleet crew. The Commanding Officer designate of Tushil Captain Peter Varghese symbolically accepted a ceremonial ship’s baton from his Russian counterpart. He read out the Commissioning Warrant of the ship addressed to him by the Chief of the Naval Staff. The ship was commissioned with the hoisting of the ‘colours’ - the Indian Naval ensign’.

Blueprint For Sustainable Defence Growth

In May 2023 Indian Aerospace & Defence Bulletin (IADB) published India-Russia Military-Technical Cooperation: A Blueprint For Sustainable Defence Growth analytical article.

IADB: ‘As Russia commemorated the 70th anniversary of its public administration system for military-technical cooperation, India has a unique opportunity to learn from this enduring partnership. By examining Russia’s strategic resilience, India’s burgeoning defence industry can shape its trajectory in an increasingly multipolar world. Russia’s military-technical cooperation has been the cornerstone of its foreign policy, guided by universal principles such as mutual respect, equal rights, and non-interference in internal affairs. Despite mounting global pressures, Russia has not only sustained but bolstered its position in the global arms market’.

The media underlined, that as the global defence industry increasingly embraces joint military projects, Russia’s willingness to establish military equipment production in partner countries is noteworthy.

‘Success of joint ventures with India, such as the BrahMos missile system, Su-30MKI aircraft, T-90S tanks, and AK-203 assault rifles, stands as a testament to the effectiveness of this approach. India’s defence growth can draw valuable lessons from Russia’s military-technical cooperation.’