https://sputniknews.in/20230610/expert-russian-defense-systems-serve-indian-security-interests-better-than-us-ones-2420326.html
Expert: Russian Defense Systems Serve Indian Security Interests Better Than US Ones
Expert: Russian Defense Systems Serve Indian Security Interests Better Than US Ones
Sputnik India
Russia will continue to remain a steady and reliable supplier of crucial weapons systems to India as they are "germane" to New Delhi’s security interests, a defense expert has told Sputnik.
2023-06-10T18:38+0530
2023-06-10T18:38+0530
2023-06-10T18:38+0530
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Russia will continue to remain a steady and reliable supplier of crucial weapons systems to India as they are "germane" to New Delhi’s security interests, a defense expert has told Sputnik.The Indian defense expert highlighted that the self-propelled S-400 Triumf air defense systems which New Delhi has been procuring from Moscow provide India with security cover on both its eastern and western borders with China and Pakistan, with both of which India has long-standing border disputes.India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to procure five units of S-400 systems, of which three have already been delivered to New Delhi. Moscow has said that deliveries of all the five units would be completed by early-2024.Sahgal, who was also the founding director of the Office of Net Assessment at the Indian Integrated Defense Staff (IDS), further noted that New Delhi and Moscow have been involved in negotiations to upgrade the range of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, which is the fastest of its kind in the world.Brahmos, which can be launched from sea, land, air or underwater, has been co-developed as a joint venture between India’s Defense, Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia space and rocket company.New Delhi and Moscow are also involved in co-production of T-9 tanks, SU-30 MKI fighter jets and AK-203 assault rifles. Moscow says that its efforts look to help India achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Made in India’ policy.US Efforts to Dominate Russian Supply ChainsAccording to Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the US accounted for 40 percent of the global arms exports in 2017-22, with Russia emerging as the second-biggest exporter globally during the same period.In the case of India, Russia has continued to maintain its position as the biggest supplier of weapons and systems to India, meeting nearly 45 percent of New Delhi’s overall requirements in the 2017-22 period.The US is the third-biggest arms supplier to India in the 2017-22 time period. According to Washington, US arms exports to India surged to almost $20 billion in 2020.During a visit by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to New Delhi this month, both sides concluded a 'Roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation' to fast-track technology cooperation and co-production in areas such as air combat and land mobility systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, munitions, and the undersea domain, as per a Pentagon statement.According to media reports, the US-based General Electric (GE) and India's state-backed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are near to finalizing a deal to "co-manufacture" GE-414 jet engines in India. Reportedly, the deal could be signed ahead of, or during, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the US later this month.New Delhi has been seeking access to jet engine technology to power its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LAC) Mark 2 (MK2) program.Manufacturing Will Remain Under US ControlSpeaking about the reported jet engine deal, Sahgal explained that even though the proposed plant would be set up in India, around "65 to 70 percent" of its operations would remain under American control.The expert said that the Indian side would take care of software development, redundancy issues and related matters. He added that transfer of technology is not full in the case of foreign collaborations.Sahgal, however, cautioned that it would be premature to consider the deal as having been closed already.Explaining India's policy of entering into defense collaborations with other states, Sahgal specifically underlined that New Delhi’s consistent policy has been to seek technology required for "military capacity building from all sources."
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Expert: Russian Defense Systems Serve Indian Security Interests Better Than US Ones
The Joe Biden administration has made no secret of its intentions to replace Russia in the global defense supply chains since the start of the special military operation last February. Moscow has consistently ranked as the biggest supplier of weapons and defense systems for India over the years.
Russia will continue to remain a steady and reliable supplier of crucial weapons systems to India as they are "germane" to New Delhi’s security interests, a defense expert has told Sputnik.
"What we [India] get from Russia is not something we get from the United States. As per our evaluation, the Russian systems are much more important for us and serve our security interests much better than what is available in the international market," said Brigadier Arun Sahgal (retired), a senior fellow for strategic and regional security at the Delhi Policy Group.
The Indian defense expert highlighted that the self-propelled S-400 Triumf air defense systems which New Delhi has been procuring from Moscow provide India with security cover on both its eastern and western borders with China and Pakistan, with both of which India has long-standing border disputes.
"The S-400 batteries deployed up in the Himalayas cover at least up to the intermediate zone of the Chinese airfields," he said. Sahgal added that the S-400 systems also cover up to 80 per cent of the territorial space of Pakistan.
India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to procure five units of S-400 systems, of which three have already been delivered to New Delhi. Moscow has said that deliveries of all the five units would be completed by early-2024.
Sahgal, who was also the founding director of the Office of Net Assessment at the Indian Integrated Defense Staff (IDS), further noted that New Delhi and Moscow have been involved in negotiations to upgrade the range of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, which is the fastest of its kind in the world.
Brahmos, which can be launched from sea, land, air or underwater, has been co-developed as a joint venture between India’s Defense, Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia space and rocket company.
"The long and short of it is that Russia provides us with essential coverage in these security areas and I don't think India is going to move away from that," Sahgal remarked.
New Delhi and Moscow are also involved in co-production of T-9 tanks, SU-30 MKI fighter jets and AK-203 assault rifles. Moscow says that its efforts look to help India achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Made in India’ policy.
US Efforts to Dominate Russian Supply Chains
According to Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the US accounted for 40 percent of the global arms exports in 2017-22, with Russia emerging as the second-biggest exporter globally during the same period.
In the case of India, Russia has continued to maintain its position as the biggest supplier of weapons and systems to India, meeting nearly 45 percent of New Delhi’s overall requirements in the 2017-22 period.
The US is the third-biggest arms supplier to India in the 2017-22 time period. According to Washington, US arms exports to India surged to almost $20 billion in 2020.
During a visit by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to New Delhi this month, both sides concluded a 'Roadmap for US-India Defense Industrial Cooperation' to fast-track technology cooperation and co-production in areas such as air combat and land mobility systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, munitions, and the undersea domain, as per a Pentagon statement.
According to media reports, the US-based General Electric (GE) and India's state-backed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are near to finalizing a deal to "co-manufacture" GE-414 jet engines in India. Reportedly, the deal could be signed ahead of, or during, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the US later this month.
New Delhi has been seeking access to jet engine technology to power its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LAC) Mark 2 (MK2) program.
Manufacturing Will Remain Under US Control
Speaking about the reported jet engine deal, Sahgal explained that even though the proposed plant would be set up in India, around "65 to 70 percent" of its operations would remain under American control.
The expert said that the Indian side would take care of software development, redundancy issues and related matters. He added that transfer of technology is not full in the case of foreign collaborations.
Sahgal, however, cautioned that it would be premature to consider the deal as having been closed already.
"There is a big 'if' at the moment. Even if the deal is announced, it will have to go through a review by the US Senate, which in itself is a long and tedious process."
Explaining India's policy of entering into defense collaborations with other states, Sahgal specifically underlined that New Delhi’s consistent policy has been to seek technology required for "military capacity building from all sources."
"We are not deciding one against the other. We decide on the basis of wherever we get the best deals and best technology in our best interest," he stated.
