India and Russia advance military agreements and study producing Su-57 fighter jet in Indian territory

Senior representatives of the Indian and Russian Armed Forces met this week in New Delhi to strengthen defense cooperation and evaluate new bilateral projects. The meeting was chaired by Air Marshal Ashutosh DixitChief of the Indian Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Lt. General Igor Dylevskyof the Russian Armed Forces, according to the portal RT.

Delegations discussed ongoing initiatives and possibilities for collaboration on emerging technologies, equipment co-production and industrial expansion. The negotiations take place on the eve of the visit of the Russian president Vladimir Putin to India, scheduled for December.

Technological partnership and local production

India, one of the main global arms importers, maintains a historic relationship with Moscow, which supplies much of the equipment used by Indian forces. The Indian government seeks to accelerate technology transfer and expand domestic production through policy “Make in India”which prioritizes autonomy in the military area.

Among the projects evaluated is the possible manufacture of the Russian stealth fighter in Indian territory Sukhoi Su-57fifth generation aircraft. The teams also discussed the co-production of the air defense system S-400already acquired by India, and the creation of joint maintenance centers to expand technical support for equipment in operation in the country.

Billion-dollar contracts and strategic expansion

Military cooperation between the two countries advanced with contracts signed in 2025. In March, New Delhi signed a US$248 million with the Russian state Rosoboronexport for tank engines T-72with production under license by an Indian public company.

In August, the Indian government approved new defense packages valued at US$7.6 billionincluding missiles BrahMos — developed in partnership with Russia — and military platform modernization programs.

Joint training and military alignment

In addition to industrial cooperation, India and Russia maintain a continuous calendar of joint exercises. At the beginning of October, they carried out the 14th edition of the naval exercise INDRAfocusing on response capabilities in modern warfare scenarios.

The deepening of relations occurs in a global context marked by geopolitical reorganization and dispute for strategic autonomy in the defense sector. The expectation is that Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi will consolidate new commitments and reinforce the role of the partnership on the Asian and international scene.