Indian weapons manufacturers discussed potential joint projects with Moscow - Reuters
Photo: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
At least six senior executives from India's leading weapons manufacturers have travelled to Russia this year for rare closed-door meetings to discuss potential joint ventures, according to Reuters.
During the first visit of Indian defence-industry leaders to Russia since 2022, previously unreported closed-door talks took place in Moscow.
According to Reuters sources, the delegation arrived on 29–30 October, led by India’s Minister of Defence Production Sanjay Kumar. The discussions were intended to lay the groundwork for Vladimir Putin’s planned visit to New Delhi on 4–5 December.
The visit occurred as the Indian government considers revising its long-standing defence cooperation model with Russia and shifting toward joint weapons development. Analysts note that deeper engagement with Moscow may complicate Indian firms’ ambitions to expand cooperation with Western manufacturers.
According to sources familiar with the talks, the parties discussed potential production in India of components for MiG-29 aircraft, air-defence systems, and other Russian weapons. They also reviewed proposals for establishing Indian manufacturing capacity for equipment that could later be exported to Russia.
Who attended meetings
Participants included representatives of major Indian conglomerates, state-owned enterprises, and drone and AI startups. One attendee was a senior executive from Kalyani Group, the parent company of Bharat Forge, which produces components for rockets and artillery. He reportedly discussed possible cooperation on parts for Russian tanks, aircraft, and helicopters.
Also present was Adani Defence and Aerospace chief executive Ashish Rajvanshi, as well as a representative of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), which includes over 500 companies such as Tata Sons, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Electronics.
Adani Group and Bharat Forge deny that their executives took part. India’s Defence Ministry and several other firms declined to comment.
Reuters previously reported that a Bharat Forge subsidiary was among the Indian companies supplying artillery shells to Europe in 2024, some of which were re-exported to Ukraine, prompting a diplomatic protest from Russia.
One Indian industry leader told Reuters that companies remain cautious about new deals with Moscow due to the risk of secondary sanctions. A Defence Ministry official added that firms must assess political and financial risks themselves, even if New Delhi can offer diplomatic cover.
Russia–India defence cooperation
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) earlier reported that the Kremlin increasingly depends on India to offset labour shortages and is seeking Indian support for drone production for Russia’s war effort.
Rostec chief Sergei Chemezov said on 5 December that Russia is negotiating with India to localise production of Russian drones, including the Lancet, in India.
In an interview with India Today, Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia not only sells weapons to India but also transfers technologies for shipbuilding, missile systems, and aviation. He asserted that India uses Russian Su-57 fighter jets and produces T-90 tanks and jointly developed BrahMos missiles domestically.
India is also set to lease a Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine for ten years, in a deal worth 2 billion dollars.
