The Next Level

Collaboration will define India’s defence partnership with Russia in the future

Junaid Suhais

India’s defence relationship with Russia has long been framed as a supplier-recipient arrangement. Over the last two decades, however, that relationship has acquired industrial depth: joint ventures such as BrahMos, phased co-production of frigates, and operational arrangements like submarine leases have created a hybrid model where capability transfer and domestic capacity matter as much as platform acquisition. 

Here we trace that trajectory, examine the naval thread in granular detail, and outline realistic pathways for the relationship to evolve into a strategic industrial partnership. The naval sphere offers a microcosm of the opportunities and challenges inherent in this evolving partnership, from high-technology leasing to complex, multi-site manufacturing projects.

Historical Trajectory

The foundation of India-Russia defence cooperation was laid during the Cold War, when the Soviet Union emerged as India’s principal, and often sole, supplier of advanced military hardware. This relationship, formalised by the 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation, was driven by geopolitical alignment and enabled India to access technology that Western nations were reluctant to share. The Indian military’s arsenal became heavily dominated by Soviet-origin platforms, including MiG fighter jets, T-series tanks, and Kilo-class submarines. This era was characterised by a straightforward buyer-seller dynamic, establishing a deep-seated dependency for platforms, spares, and maintenance.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 created a ‘lost decade’ for the relationship, marked by uncertainty, disrupted supply chains, and a decline in engagement. However, the strategic imperative for both nations to counterbalance a unipolar world order led to a revival. The signing of the ‘Declaration on Strategic Partnership’ in October 2000 marked a turning point, institutionalising the relationship beyond simple arms sales. A key innovation was the establishment of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), co-chaired by the defence ministers, to oversee the entire spectrum of defence engagement. This framework shifted the focus towards joint research and development (R&D), licensed production, and joint ventures, moving away from the old dependency model.

The 2010s saw this trend accelerate under India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Russia demonstrated a greater willingness than many Western partners to facilitate technology transfer and co-production. Landmark agreements for the S-400 Triumf air defence system, the licensed production of AK-203 rifles, and the co-production of Kamov Ka-226T helicopters exemplified this new phase. While Russia's share of India’s total arms imports has declined, from 72 per cent in 2010–14 to 36 per cent in 2020–24, as India diversifies its sources, the relationship’s character has deepened industrially. It has evolved into a pragmatic partnership where India leverages Russian technology to build its own defence industrial base.

Naval Cooperation Deep Dive

The naval dimension of the India-Russia partnership is the most compelling illustration of its evolution from direct sales to intricate industrial collaboration. It encompasses high-stakes operational leases, complex multi-site frigate construction, a world-class missile joint venture, and now, a foray into dual-use aerospace manufacturing.

The INS Chakra Saga: India’s ambition to operate a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) fleet has been critically enabled by Russia. Lacking the indigenous capabilit