Indian troops cannot operate effectively without Russian-supplied equipment: CRS report

Source : Press Trust of India (PTI)

FILE PHOTO: MiG-29K aircrafts are parked on the deck of INS Vikramaditya, Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier, anchored in the Arabian sea off the coast of Mumbai   -  REUTERS

India’s reliance on weapons and equipment from Russia has dropped significantly, but the Indian Army cannot operate effectively without the equipment provided by Russia, and in the medium term it is a weapons system, the Parliamentary Research Service ( Continue to depend on CRS). The report says.

The report includes a definitive decision that the Biden administration must undertake India to purchase military weapons from Russia and plans to impose sanctions on the country by countering US adversaries through the Sanctions Act (CAATSA). It is ahead of whether there is.

“Many analysts in India and beyond conclude that Indian troops cannot operate effectively without the equipment provided by Russia and will continue to rely on Russia’s weapons system in the short and medium term.” Said the independent CRS in a report. industry’.

“As one senior American observer said, the continued purchase of New Delhi “continues to be one of the few means of influence India still has over Moscow.” In this sense, much of Moscow’s influence in India comes from its willingness to provide weapons. Systems and technologies that no other country exports to India. Russia also continues to offer advanced weapons platforms at relatively attractive speeds. “

CRS uses independent subject matter experts to produce regular reports on a variety of issues. The report is not an official Congressional report and is provided to help lawmakers make informed decisions.

The graphic shows that imports of equipment from Russia have consistently declined under the Modi administration since 2015.

Noting that India’s plans to purchase a Russian-made S-400 air defense system, which has been underway since 2016, could trigger US sanctions under Section 231 of CAATSA, the CRS said Indian planners. Seems to have concluded an alternative to the S-400 offered by Washington. -The Patriot and THAAD system-lacks the intended range and variety of Russian equipment.

“Despite the tendency to move away from Russia’s arms imports, India submitted US $ 800 million in late 2019 for a full US $ 5.4 billion contract for the S-400 system (and a Russian-designed 464). T-90S tank) “.

According to CRS, New Delhi has “full-scale progress” with the introduction of the S-400, with the first delivery scheduled for fall 2021 and expected to be completed by early 2023, according to recent reports.

In August 2021, Russian authorities said delivery of the S-400 would begin by the end of 2021.

Russia has been the source of almost two-thirds (62%) of all India’s arms imports since 2010, and India is Russia’s largest arms importer, nearly three minutes of it, according to the CRS report. It accounts for 1 (32%) of. According to SIPRI, all Russian arms exports.

Between 2016 and 2020, India accounted for almost a quarter (23%) of Russia’s total arms exports, and Russia accounted for about half (49%) of India’s imports.

According to the CRS report, according to Military Balance 2021, India’s current military weapons have a large stockpile of Russian or Russian equipment. The Indian Army’s main battle tank unit is mainly composed of Russian T-72M1 (66%) and T-90S (30%).

According to the CRS, the Indian Navy’s only operational aircraft carrier is a refurbished Soviet-era ship, with all fighters and ground attack aircraft made in Russia or manufactured in India under license. The Navy’s fighters are said to consist of 43 MiG-29K / KUBs.

“Four of the Navy’s 10 guided-missile destroyers are Russian Kashin-class destroyers, and six of the 17 frigate are Russian Talwar-class. The Navy’s only nuclear submarine is leased from Russia. Eight of the other 14 submarines are from Russia. Origin kiloclass. ”

“Finally, the Indian Air Force’s 667 FGA fleet is 71% of Russian origin (39% of the Su-30, 22% of the MiG-21, 9% of the MiG-29). Russian-made Il-78.” Said.

Indian troops cannot operate effectively without Russian-supplied equipment: CRS report