Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov delivered a powerful speech in Delhi reaffirming the “uninterrupted” defense cooperation that has served as the “backbone of India’s armed forces” for over six decades. He emphasized that this cooperation is unique and rooted in shared battlefield experience.
Alipov highlighted the sheer scale of the partnership, stating, “Approximately 70 percent of India’s military equipment is of Russian origin.” He pointed to its proven success, citing “Operation Sindoor” as a key testament to the effectiveness of this jointly-developed arsenal.
The ambassador celebrated the move from a “buyer-seller model to joint production,” praising the BrahMos supersonic missile, Su-30 MKI jets, and T-90 tanks as prime examples of this deep collaboration. He also noted the ongoing joint production of AK-203 rifles.
Looking forward, Alipov announced a major push toward next-generation systems. This includes local production of the Su-57 fighter, support for India’s AMCA program, and new collaborations on drones and anti-drone systems.
This reassurance of military support comes as Donald Trump claimed India would stop buying Russian oil. Russia and India both dismissed this, with the MEA citing “national interest” and Alipov noting the “beneficial” nature of the oil trade for India’s economy.