NEW DELHI, February 10. /TASS/. Military-technical cooperation between Russia and India has been successfully developing for decades and there is every reason to believe that it will continue on this path, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov told TASS.
"There is no reason to question that our unique ties in the area of military-technical cooperation, which have been the basis for our bilateral privileged strategic partnership for decades, will continue strengthening. Cooperation with Russia is a key factor of boosting India’s defense potential," he said.
He noted that taking into account India’s desire to have an independent defense sector, the two countries are gradually shifting from direct purchases of defense products to localizing production based on advanced technologies and establishing joint ventures. "This is in full compliance with India’s Make In India initiative," he added.
"Systems of Russian or Soviet design account for more than 50% of India’s weaponry and up to 90% in some sectors. Among the most successful joint ventures is the production of BrahMos advanced supersonic cruise missiles that started in 1998. A range of third countries show great interest in them. Work continues to create a hypersonic modification. Nearly 1,000 licensed T-90 tanks and 300 Su-30MKI planes have been assembled in India, with localization ranging from 70 to 90% The Indo-Russia Riffles joint venture is manufacturing AK-203 submachine guns," Alipov went on to say.
According to the Russian diplomat, the two countries are maintaining dialogue in the areas of logistics and maintenance, research and development. "Aircraft engines, new Su-30 batches, contracts for long-range radars are on the agenda," he noted.
"The Indian military shows interest in Russian-made state-of-the-art systems, including the fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jet, which will demonstrate its unique capabilities at Asia’s largest aerospace show Aero India 2025 from February 10 to 14, 2025. We are ready to offer New Delhi a wide range of advanced defense products which have proved their efficiency in the real combat environment," he added.