Speculation is rife following recent meetings in Russia attended by senior executives from major Indian defense manufacturers, including Adani Defence and Bharat Forge. This marks a significant development, being the first such delegation visit to Russia by Indian defense business leaders since the Ukraine conflict commenced in 2022. India, historically a major buyer of Russian defense equipment, is reportedly keen to transition towards joint production and enhancing its indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
According to reports, the meetings centered on fostering deeper industrial collaboration rather than just procurement. While the specific outcomes remain undisclosed, the initiative has reportedly garnered attention from Western nations. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact on technology sharing, especially given that around 36% of India’s current military hardware originates from Russia. Adani Defence and Bharat Forge have, however, publicly denied any direct involvement of their executives in these Moscow meetings.
The discussions, which reportedly took place on October 29th and 30th, were conducted shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi. The Indian delegation, which included representatives from the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), aimed to lay the groundwork for a new phase of defense cooperation. Exploratory talks are understood to have covered the co-production of components for Russian tanks and aircraft, alongside potential future ventures in helicopter development. The overarching objective for India is to achieve greater defense self-reliance through strategic manufacturing partnerships.