Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India and is meeting PM Narendra Modi in India for the 23rd annual India-Russia Summit. The talks between the two leaders assume a significant role, given the geopolitical tension and the fine balancing act that India needs to maintain with respect to its relationship with both the US and Russia.
Russia is a key trading partner for India, and talks on energy and defence partnerships between the two are something that the entire world is watching out for.
India-Russia defence deal- Historical significance
India- Russia defence partnership goes back many decades to 1962, when India purchased MiG-21 fighter jets. Since then, India has purchased various kinds of defence equipment and partnered to co-develop defence technologies with Russia.
Major defence partnerships between India – Russia
Here is a look at the major latest defence deals between India and Russia-
2018: S-400 Missile deal
India signed a $5.5 billion defence deal with Russia to purchase S-400 missiles in 2018. India is also looking to purchase an additional 275-300 units of S-400 missiles, which could be worth about $1.2 billion.
2019: T-90MS ‘Bhishma’ Tanks
In 2019, India approved a proposal to build 464 T-90MS “Bhishma” Tanks. These tanks are built using Russian kits and technology transferred by the Heavy Vehicles Factory.
The defence deals between India and Russia also include the purchase of AK-203 Assault Rifles ($680 million) and Grigorovich-Class Frigates ($2 billion).
2021: Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft
In 2021, India approved the purchase of 12 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets to replace losses due to crashes. The deal is worth about $1.3 billion. These jets are are most advanced Super Sukhoi standard and are built by HAL with about 60% indigenous content.
