India and Russia are expanding their defence partnership, with Indian companies working with Russian firms on fighter aircraft upgrades, air defence systems and missile manufacturing.
According to a report by The Economic Times, companies including Adani Defence & Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) are involved in several Russian defence programmes. The cooperation is increasingly focused on technology transfer, local manufacturing and joint production in line with India’s defence procurement rules.
Adani Expands Air Defence Work
Adani Defence is expanding its air defence business through partnerships with Russian companies. The company has secured at least six contracts over the past two years to supply Igla-S man-portable air defence missiles to India’s three armed forces.
The contracts were signed under emergency procurement rules that allow the armed forces to quickly acquire urgently needed weapons. Each contract has a limit of ₹300 crore.
Adani Defence is working with Russian company SpecTech LLC for technical support related to the Igla-S missile system.
The company is also close to finalising a ₹1,800 crore contract for the more advanced 9K333 Verba shoulder-fired air defence missile. Adani was nominated for the contract last month, with the procurement being handled as a single-vendor deal.
The missiles are expected to be manufactured in India to meet the growing requirements of the armed forces.
HAL and BDL Work With Russian Partners
HAL is working with Russian companies on the planned upgrade of the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter fleet. Most of the work is expected to be carried out by HAL, while Russian companies will provide technical support.
Meanwhile, BDL is working on a programme to manufacture long-range air-to-air missiles for India’s Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighter fleets.
The programme is expected to include technology transfer and could become one of the few cases where a Russian-origin air-to-air missile is manufactured in India.
Adani Defence is also in discussions with Russian manufacturers about possible joint production of advanced air defence systems, including the Pantsir.
The company has also signed a long-term ammunition supply agreement with Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd and is manufacturing components for AK-203 rifles.
Some Russian Defence Proposals Face Challenges
However, not all Russian defence proposals have received strong interest from India.
Russia has proposed the sale and joint production of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, but the Indian Air Force continues to support the Rafale fighter followed by India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
Russia has also proposed selling three refurbished EKM-class diesel-electric submarines. The proposal has yet to attract a buyer, partly due to concerns about Russia’s ability to deliver while its defence industry remains under pressure because of the Ukraine war.
The Indian Navy is also waiting for a Chakra-class nuclear attack submarine under a 2019 agreement. The submarine was originally expected to be delivered in 2025.
Overall, the latest developments show that India-Russia defence cooperation is moving beyond direct imports towards local manufacturing, technology transfer and co-production in India.
