As India faces the economic bite of 50% US tariffs, half of which are a penalty for buying Russian oil, Russia has responded with a strategic offer of advanced “force multipliers.”
Ambassador Denis Alipov confirmed discussions are “underway on drones, anti-drone systems, advanced radar, and other force multipliers.” This is part of a major new defense push.
This high-tech offer was paired with a proposal to co-produce the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, building on 60 years of defense ties that have provided 70% of India’s military hardware.
The announcement followed Donald Trump’s claim that India would halt Russian oil imports. India’s MEA refuted this, citing “national interest.”
Russia’s move is a classic counter-pressure tactic: as the US imposes economic penalties over trade, Russia reinforces its value as a high-technology security partner, offering India the tools for modern warfare.