High-ranking officials from India’s leading defense companies, including Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, have recently held meetings in Russia, sparking considerable interest in a potential shift in defense sourcing. This visit represents the first time since the 2022 conflict in Ukraine that Indian defense industry leaders have traveled to Russia for discussions. While India has long depended on Russian military hardware, the nation is now actively seeking to move towards joint manufacturing and boosting its own defense production capacity.
Sources indicate that these discussions were focused on building long-term industrial partnerships. The prospect of India and Russia collaborating on new defense systems has reportedly led to apprehension in Western capitals, given India’s significant market share as a global arms buyer and its stated aim to become a major defense producer. Western governments are reportedly concerned that enhanced cooperation with Russia might affect their willingness to share advanced military technology, especially considering that approximately 36% of India’s current defense inventory is Russian-made. Notably, Adani Defence and Bharat Forge have stated that the reports linking them to these meetings are inaccurate.
The meetings reportedly occurred on October 29th and 30th, serving as a prelude to President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India. The Indian delegation, which included representatives from the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), was focused on strengthening defense-industrial ties. Discussions are believed to have touched upon the joint manufacturing of parts for Russian tanks and aircraft, as well as future collaboration in helicopter programs. This strategic push aims to foster India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing through deeper collaboration with key partners like Russia.