Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov has emphasized the sheer scale of his country’s defense partnership with India, stating, “Approximately 70 percent of India’s military equipment is of Russian origin.” He described this as the “backbone” of India’s armed forces.
Speaking in Delhi, Alipov used this fact to launch a new defense push, reaffirming the 60-year “uninterrupted” cooperation. He said the relationship is now about “joint production and full technology-sharing.”
This new push includes ambitious projects like the local production of the Su-57 fighter, drones, and advanced radar, building on successes like the BrahMos missile and Su-30 MKI jets.
This reminder of deep-seated dependency comes at a sensitive time. It follows Donald Trump’s claim that India would halt Russian oil imports, a statement the US has backed with tariffs. Russia’s message is that its strategic role is far too critical to be swayed by trade disputes.