India Set to Bolster Its Defense Ties With Russia

India-Russia defense ties are set for boost as the Indian defense ministry is stepping up the negotiations for the impending India-Russia defense deals.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin will be visiting India on September 13 for the 22nd Session of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation.

It is believed that his visit will also set the agenda for the summit meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin which will be held on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Goa in October. The strengthening of India-Russia defense relations will beat the top of the Indian government’s agenda despite India’s increasing defense partnership with US, especially after the signing of Indo-US Logistic Support Agreement.

In fact to ward off any misgivings, India has planned to step up those defense projects which are already in pipeline with Russia. Sources in Defense Ministry say that India is giving a push to all its defense projects with Russia which had been put on hold for some time.

Accordingly, India will also soon start negotiations for the S-400 Triumph Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System. Despite the Indian Defense Minister’s statement in Parliament that the Indian Air Force will acquire five units of the S-400 Triumph between 2017 and 2022, the proposal was shelved due to financial constraints.

Now India will soon start negotiations for the S-400 Triumph Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System. S-400 Triumph is a cutting edge long range air-defense missile system to counter aircrafts, cruise and ballistic missiles. India needs the S-400 Triumph to bolster its air defense along its borders with China and Pakistan.

A company to Company agreement is likely to be signed for the Kamov Ka-226 small twin-engine utility helicopter. India signed an agreement with Russia whereby India and Russia will jointly manufacture 200 of the Ka-226 choppers for the Indian army. Ka-226 is a powerful, light multirole helicopter which has high safety profile and boasts precise hovering ability and maneuverability.

According to Defense Ministry sources, India will soon conclude an agreement to co-develop the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft. India wants some changes in the technical aspects of the FGGA and will iron out any differences. India badly needed the FGFA to bolster Indian Air Force capability to counter China and also to strengthen its fleet of ultra-sophisticated fighter aircrafts. Apart from these major Indo-Russian defense projects, India is also working on upgrades to its Sukhoi Su-30 fighter aircraft to provide the Indian Air Force with more fire power.

The Indian government is working on speedy clearance of India-Russia defense joint projects and defense deals in view of the upcoming visit of Russian president Putin to India for the BRICS Summit.  In the changing geo-political situation of the world India is striving to make a fine balance between its relations with both Russia and US.  While Russia is India’s all weather and trusted friend India also needs the strategic support and cooperation of US to counter China and Pakistan.