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Context: With tensions escalating between Russia and the West over the Ukraine crisis, India faces uncertainty over timely deliveries in the near future in addition to the lingering threat of U.S. sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) over the S-400 deal.
- In the past, tensions between Russia and Ukraine had considerably delayed the modernisation of the AN-32 transport fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Russia-Traditional military supplier:
- Russia has been a traditional military supplier, over 60% of Indian military inventory is of Russian origin, including fighter jets, tanks, helicopters and submarines.
- In 2021, India and Russia signed a ₹5000 crore deal for 6.1 lakh AK-203 assault rifles to be manufactured jointly in Uttar Pradesh.
- Russia is manufacturing two stealth frigates for the Navy. While another two are being manufactured by the Goa Shipyard Limited under technology transfer.
- India is also looking to receive the third Akula class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) sometime in 2025.
- India-Russia military technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer - seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems.
- BrahMos Missile System as well as the licensed production in India of SU-30 aircraft and T-90 tanks, are examples of such flagship cooperation.
- Furthering this cooperation, an agreement on the cooperation in the production of spare parts for Russian/Soviet military equipment was signed.
- Agreements on supply of S-400 air defence systems, construction of frigates and shareholders agreement on the formation of joint venture to manufacture Ka-226T helicopters in India.
- Production of AK Series Assault Rifles at Ordnance Factory Korwa under the ‘Make-in-India’ program.
- The two countries also hold exchanges and training exercises between their armed forces annually.
- The first-ever Tri-Services exercise –‘INDRA 2017’ took place in 2017.
India-Ukraine defence relation:
- India had signed deal with Ukraine for eight Zorya-Mashproekt gas turbine engines for the frigates.
- Ukraine, it is upgrading over 100 An-32 transport aircraft of the IAF under a deal finalised in 2009.
- At the Aero India in 2021, Ukraine signed four agreements worth $70 mn, which includes sale of new weapons as well as maintenance and the upgrade of the existing ones in service with the Indian military, as reported earlier.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-faces-uncertainty-over-defence-supplies-from-russia-and-ukraine-as-also-caatsa-waiver/article65144678.ece
