India and Russia are exploring ways to move their decades-old defence relationship beyond the traditional buyer-seller model, with potential cooperation involving BrahMos missile upgrades, modernisation of India’s Su-30MKI fleet and Moscow’s offer of Su-57 fighter technology emerging as key areas.
The two countries are considering a broader defence-industrial partnership focused on joint production, technology transfer, domestic manufacturing and potentially developing military systems for export markets. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit, underscoring the continuing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
While public attention often focuses on high-level meetings, discussions surrounding defence industrial cooperation could have a more significant long-term impact. Indian and Russian officials and analysts have been examining models that would give Indian companies greater participation in the design, manufacture, modernisation and upgrade of advanced military platforms.
For decades, India was one of Russia’s largest defence customers, acquiring Russian-origin tanks, fighter aircraft, submarines, helicopters, air-defence systems, missiles and other military equipment. The relationship subsequently expanded into licensed manufacturing and industrial cooperation.
India’s procurement strategy, however, has evolved considerably. New Delhi has increased defence purchases from the United States, France, Israel and other partners while seeking access to advanced technologies and reducing dependence on a single foreign supplier.
The conflict in Ukraine has added another layer of complexity. Western sanctions imposed on Russia since 2022 have affected Moscow’s access to certain advanced components, microelectronics, machine tools and other technologies. These restrictions have raised concerns over spare parts, supply-chain reliability and delivery schedules.
As a result, both countries have greater incentives to explore domestic production, technology transfer and long-term industrial cooperation rather than relying exclusively on conventional arms sales.
BrahMos as a Model for Deeper Cooperation
India’s Make in India policy, launched in 2014, has provided an important framework for increasing domestic defence manufacturing. The BrahMos missile program remains one of the most prominent examples of India-Russia industrial cooperation.
BrahMos is an Indo-Russian joint venture that developed a supersonic cruise missile for land-, sea- and air-launched applications. The missile is capable of travelling at approximately three times the speed of sound and can be deployed from land-based launchers, surface warships, submarines and aircraft.
The system has been inducted by the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. An export variant has also been developed, with the Philippines becoming the first foreign customer for the land-based BrahMos coastal-defence system.
Unlike a conventional imported weapon, the BrahMos program has involved joint development, Indian manufacturing, local integration and an increasing role for Indian industry. Its export activity has strengthened the case for developing military equipment that can serve both domestic and international markets.
Russian officials have indicated that the next-generation BrahMos could feature improved performance and additional capabilities. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that the two countries should consider further enhancing the missile’s characteristics.
Potential future concepts include a smaller BrahMos variant for the TEJAS fighter, a submarine-launched version and a possible hypersonic configuration.
A lighter and more compact BrahMos could potentially allow integration with smaller fighter aircraft while retaining a significant portion of the weapon’s range and precision-strike capability. A submarine-launched variant could provide another maritime strike option, subject to platform compatibility, weight and launch-system requirements.
The most technologically demanding proposal involves a hypersonic BrahMos variant potentially targeting speeds around Mach 5. Such a system would require advances in propulsion, thermal management, navigation, communications and terminal guidance. Hypersonic flight generates extreme aerodynamic heating and places demanding requirements on sensors and guidance systems.
Even incremental progress in these areas could strengthen capabilities across India’s aerospace, propulsion, electronics and precision-engineering sectors.
Su-30MKI Modernisation Gains Importance
The Su-30MKI fleet represents another major area of potential India-Russia industrial cooperation. The aircraft remains a central component of the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet, with a significant number assembled or manufactured domestically by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence.
Indian industry has already integrated indigenous avionics, electronic-warfare systems, communications equipment and weapons into the platform. Russia and India are now discussing a comprehensive modernisation program for the fleet.
The proposed Super Sukhoi upgrade has been estimated at around $11 billion, equivalent to approximately ₹93,500 crore using an exchange rate of $1 to ₹85. The initiative could cover nearly 260 aircraft.
Potential upgrades include active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, modern avionics, improved electronic-warfare systems, enhanced communications and upgraded weapons.
Russia has also offered its Izdeliye 177S engine as a possible propulsion option. The proposed engine is intended to provide increased thrust, improved fuel efficiency and longer service life, although the final decision would depend on technical assessments, commercial negotiations and the extent of technology transfer.
A comprehensive upgrade could extend the operational life of the Su-30MKI and enhance its ability to detect, track and engage targets in contested airspace. Modernised aircraft could also receive improved long-range air-to-air missiles, precision-guided weapons and enhanced network-centric capabilities.
However, upgrading such a large fleet would involve extensive structural inspections, testing, software integration, certification and modifications to maintenance infrastructure. India would also need to compare the cost of modernising existing aircraft with the acquisition of new fighter platforms.
The Super Sukhoi program could therefore develop into a major industrial undertaking involving HAL, Indian defence laboratories, private-sector suppliers and Russian aerospace companies.
Russia Offers Su-57 Technology and Production
The third major area of cooperation is Russia’s proposal to supply India with the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter and potentially support local production.
Moscow’s proposal reportedly goes beyond the direct sale of completed aircraft and could include technology transfer, increased local manufacturing and Indian participation in producing significant portions of the aircraft.
The offer is particularly relevant as India continues development of its own fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The indigenous program is intended to provide the Indian Air Force with a domestically designed stealth fighter, although development of a suitable high-performance fighter engine remains one of its major technical challenges.
India has extensive experience in aircraft design, assembly, avionics and systems integration but does not currently operate an indigenous fighter engine in the required thrust class.
The Russian proposal could potentially provide India with access to a fifth-generation platform while domestic production capabilities are developed. Reports have also indicated that discussions could cover technology related to the Su-57’s engine, radar, electronic warfare, software, low-observable technologies and weapons integration.
However, the precise scope of any technology transfer remains subject to formal negotiations.
Technology Transfer Remains a Key Issue
Technology transfer involving a fifth-generation fighter is particularly sensitive because it encompasses manufacturing processes and intellectual property developed over decades.
For India, the value of any Su-57 arrangement would therefore depend not only on the aircraft’s operational capabilities but also on the depth, scope and enforceability of the proposed technology transfer.
Local production could provide Indian engineers and manufacturers with experience in stealth design, low-observable materials, advanced avionics and integrated electronic warfare. It could also expand capabilities within HAL and the wider private-sector defence industry while supporting domestic maintenance, repair and overhaul.
At the same time, India would need to assess the aircraft’s operational maturity, maintenance requirements, availability and compatibility with existing weapons and communication networks. Another consideration would be the potential effect on the AMCA program, particularly in terms of funding, engineering resources and development priorities.
Engine technology would be particularly important. There is a substantial difference between assembling imported engine modules and acquiring the capability to independently design, manufacture, test and upgrade a complete propulsion system.
India would also need clarity on spare parts, repair infrastructure, software access, future upgrades and long-term component availability. Supply-chain disruptions associated with the Ukraine conflict have further highlighted the importance of these issues.
From Arms Sales to Technology Partnership
The BrahMos, Su-30MKI and Su-57 discussions collectively illustrate the potential evolution of India-Russia defence cooperation.
For New Delhi, the focus is increasingly on domestic manufacturing, technology absorption, industrial capability and long-term supply-chain resilience. For Moscow, deeper industrial cooperation offers an opportunity to maintain its role in India’s defence sector while developing potential export opportunities.
The future of the relationship will therefore depend on whether the two countries can translate proposals for joint production and technology transfer into concrete industrial programs.
BrahMos provides an established example of such cooperation, while the proposed Su-30MKI modernisation and Su-57 partnership would test whether the model can be extended to more complex platforms and technologies.
Together, these initiatives could determine whether India-Russia defence ties evolve further from a traditional equipment-supply relationship toward a broader technology-driven and industrial partnership.
