Introduction
The United States had overtaken Russia in bagging defence deals over the previous four years, with sales worth $15 billion, since 2007.
The significant acquisitions on the anvil are/were C-17 Globemaster-III, strategic airlifters; P-8I aircrafts, which are, maritime patrol planes; Apache attack helicopters and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
The closeness of India with USA irked Russia, who has traditionally been the biggest suppliers of arms to India, since the 1960s, with sales worth $50 billion.
In fact, even today, India holds at least 60% of its equipment and weapon systems of Russian origin. The mainstay equipment pieces, like the MiGs, Sukhoi fighter aircrafts, the T-90 tanks, Kilo-class submarines, Talwar frigates and INS Vikramaditya held on India’s inventory are all from Russia.
The acquisition of French 36 Rafale, medium multi-role combat aircrafts (MMRCA) at a phenomenal cost of $9billion, has been frowned upon by some experts, who feel that repair and maintenance of the aircrafts will need exclusive and more intensive expertise, if Indian Air Force has such divergent fleet of aircrafts.
Notwithstanding, the recent delegation level talks between India and Russia on the sidelines of BRICS Summit at Goa, saw a renewal of Indo-Russia relationship and signing of defence procurement deals worth $10.5 billion (Rs 72,000 crore).
Significant Indo-Russia Defence Deals:
Missile Shield
India has made a bid for five S-400 Triumf Air Defence Systems to plug the operational gaps in the India’s air defence.
S-400 AD system is capable of destroying hostile aircrafts, stealth fighters, long range ballistic missiles and drones at a ranges between 120-400 km.
The weapon platform is equipped to fire three types of supersonic and hypersonic missiles to intercept different targets and has a long-range, all weather radar that can track hundreds of targets simultaneously.
It is envisaged that three of these air defence shields will be deployed on the western sector against air threat from Pakistan and two on the eastern sector against China.
Incidentally, China also had sealed a deal with Russia in 2014 for the delivery of the AD system S-400 by 2017.
Guided Missile Stealth Frigates
India has inked a deal for four Grigorivich-class frigates from Russia at a cost of $4 billion. Two of these will be built in India.
These stealth frigates are 4000 ton, multi-role frigates, with an operating range of 4500 nautical miles and fitted with hi-tech sensors and state of art weapons, including the supersonic BrahMos missile.
However, the above deal has been linked to India’s plan to lease a second nuclear powered Russian submarine at a cost of $1.5 billion. The first nuclear submarine, INS Chakra was leased by India from Russia in 2012.
India has already inducted six Russian stealth frigates into the Navy, i.e. three Talwar-class and three Teg-class. The Grigorivich-class frigate will be an upgraded version of the Teg-class.
Indian Navy at present has 130 warships, out of which many are old and at the verge of down gradation.
In order to be able to appropriately project its maritime power and effectively protect its interests, India Navy plans to induct 212 warships by 2017.
A total of 39 warships and six Scorpene submarines are under construction in various Indian shipyards.
Light Utility Helicopter
A deal for procurement of 200 Kamov-226T helicopters at a cost of $1 billion was signed between India and Russia.
It has been decided that first 60 choppers will be procured from Russia and the balance will be produced in India over the next nine years, giving a fillip to the ‘make in India’ campaign.
The Kamov-226T is a small twin-engine, multirole helicopter, which can perform the tasks of reconnaissance, aerial patrolling and disaster relief operations. It can carry on board, eight combat ready soldiers and has an operational range of 600km.
In all, the armed forces needs 484 light helicopters to replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, which are presently held with India. HAL is also in the process of manufacturing 187 light helicopters.
Russia’s Compulsions to Look towards South Asia:
Russian economy has been crippled because of US-EU sanctions post the Ukraine crisis, falling price of oil, which is Russia’s major source of income, and the impact of fast depreciating Russian currency, leading to flow of investments out of the country (capital flight).
Russia is said to be losing $40 billion a year due to sanctions, around $100 billion on account of falling oil prices, and some $130 billion in capital flight. Further, inflation in the country has for the first time reached a double digit figure.
European Union is exploring alternate sources of gas for its domestic requirements to punish Russia on account of its military intervention in Ukraine and hence, Russia has shelved its $50 billion South Stream gas pipeline project, which was to run across the Black Sea to Southern and Central Europe.
Furthermore, as a retaliatory step to EU sanctions, Russia has imposed trade restrictions by banning import of meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables from the US, the EU, Canada, Australia and Norway.
The above said compulsions are drawing Russia towards fresh markets for its energy and bilateral trading partners in Asia.
China is Russia’s largest single trading partner, with bilateral trade flows of $90 billion and India, in comparison was just $6.17 billion in 2015-16.
It is for the above stated reasons that, Russia signed contracts with China to supply 38 and 30 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually from 2018, for a period of 30 years in 2014.
Also, Russian Defence Minister visited Pakistan (first visit since 1969), and signed their first military cooperation agreement on 20 Nov 2014, which included joint naval exercises, military officer exchanges, arms sales, counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism cooperation.
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif had visited Russia in June 2015 and Russia has signed a deal with Pakistan at Rawalpindi to supply Mi-35 attack helicopters, ‘Hind’ to Pakistan on 20 August 2015.
Keeping the foregoing in mind, it can well be deduced that Russia is now looking for other partners to bridge this supply gap.
Reason’s for Renewal of Indo-Russia Ties
India has been traditionally dependent on Russia for defence procurement, owing to its cutting edge technology which is rugged, appropriately tempered for Indian conditions and hassle free, well defined procurement procedures.
Further, India’s energy security is also very closely linked with Russia. The Russian consortium, comprising of energy giant Rosneft, commodities trader Trafigura and United Capital Parterres on 15 October announced acquisition of 98% stakes of India’s Essar Oil for $12.9 billion. This is the largest ever single foreign direct investment in India.
Besides, the two leaders during their meeting at Goa also dedicated the Unit-II of Kudankulum Nuclear Power Plant and witnessed foundation laying of its Unit 3 and 4.
Similarly, India has been the major factor that has provided the requisite wind to the sails of the Russian defence industry. Hence, Russia cannot afford to ignore India, as much as, India cannot afford to dump Russia for US.
The recent drift of Russia towards Pakistan and China has been primarily due to the growing closeness between India and USA. It was Russia’s way to reprimand India, by participating in the recent military exercises with Pakistan.
Conclusion
In a conscious attempt to rebuilt bridges, PM Modi during his Joint Statement with Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled a very apt Russian proverb that, “one old friend is better than two new friends”.
The temporary freeze that had appeared in the Indo-Russia relationship in the face of changing global geopolitics saw a thaw in the ongoing BRICS Summit.
Russia mirrored India’s concerns over terrorism and supported India’s actions to fight cross border terrorism. It also supported India’s bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), membership for Wasseanaar Agreement and permanent berth in UNSC.
India, while walking this tight rope will have to demonstrate ‘Chanyaka Niti’ in diplomatic engagements to appropriately safeguard its national interests.
Source:OLive!Green
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