India’s Share in Russian Arms Exports Grows by 15% in Six Months

India's share in Russia’s arms and equipment exports has grown by 15% in the last six months, according to Viktor Yevtukhov, head of the Russian presidential administration for state policy in the defense industry.

Yevtukhov made the announcement during the handover of the Project 11356 Tushil frigate to the Indian Navy at the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad.

Speaking during the official ceremony, attended by Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Yevtukhov highlighted the enduring partnership between the two countries in the defense sector. "Russia has consistently remained India’s primary defense partner, not only due to a legacy of Soviet-era equipment but also through ongoing collaborative efforts. More than 200 joint defense projects unite our countries," he stated.

The Tushil frigate marks the seventh vessel constructed under Project 11356 for the Indian Navy by Russia. Between 2007 and 2013, six similar frigates were delivered. The eighth frigate in the series is scheduled for handover in 2025.

Underlining the collaborative approach, Yevtukhov announced that the ninth and tenth frigates would be built at an Indian shipyard with technical support from Russia. "This approach aligns with the primary direction of Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation, which focuses on long-term contracts and localization of Russian equipment production within Indian facilities," he explained.

Yevtukhov emphasized that projects like the construction of Project 11356 frigates demonstrate the scientific and industrial capabilities of Russia's defense sector while supporting India’s defense modernization goals. He also reiterated that the defense partnership extends beyond shipbuilding, involving various collaborative programs designed to bolster India’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.