Russia-India Agree to Exchange Troops, Warships for Military Drills in Major Defence Pact: Key Features

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has formally approved the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (reLOS) agreement with India—an important development that comes just days ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to New Delhi on December 4–5. The pact marks a significant step in strengthening strategic military interoperability between the two long-standing defence partners.

🇷🇺🇮🇳 Pact to Deepen Strategic Cooperation

The reLOS pact—initially signed on February 18 and forwarded for ratification last week by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin—lays down a structured mechanism for the deployment of military units, warships, and aircraft between India and Russia. The agreement also spells out comprehensive logistic support that both nations can provide each other, including:

• Fuel and refuelling support
• Maintenance and repair services
• Berthing and port logistics
• Supplies and medical assistance
• Operational support during missions

At the Duma’s plenary session, Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin highlighted the strategic significance of the pact, stating that its ratification represents another major step toward strengthening long-term defence reciprocity.

🌍 When Will the Agreement Apply?

The reLOS pact will be applicable during a wide range of joint and mutually approved operations, including:

• Bilateral and multilateral military exercises
• Training missions
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)
• Natural and man-made disaster response
• Other deployments mutually agreed upon by both governments

A statement on the Duma’s website emphasized that the pact will streamline access to each other’s airspace, making it easier for naval vessels to conduct port calls and for aircraft to conduct coordinated operations. The approval sends a clear signal of Moscow’s intent to reinforce its defence partnership with India ahead of Putin’s high-level visit.

🚀 Big-Ticket Defence Deals on the Agenda: Su-57 & S-400

The pact’s ratification comes just a day after the Kremlin confirmed that discussions on major defence platforms—including the Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter and additional S-400 air defence systems—will feature prominently during the Modi-Putin summit.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said:

He also reiterated the importance of protecting bilateral ties from external interference, calling the India–Russia partnership “mutually beneficial.”

India’s Past Role in Su-57 Development

India was originally a major collaborator in the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) programme based on the Su-57 platform and contributed toward shaping advanced requirements. However, concerns about:

• cost overruns
• limited technology access
• performance gaps

led India to exit the programme. Despite this, the Su-57 continues to be part of ongoing military-technical discussions.

🛡️ Status of the S-400 Deal

India and Russia signed a $5 billion agreement in 2018 for five S-400 squadrons. Out of these, three have already been delivered, with the remaining units expected to be discussed during the Putin-Modi meeting.

The S-400 continues to be a priority for India’s air defence strategy despite geopolitical pressures and CAATSA-related concerns from the West.

⭐ Why This Pact Matters

The reLOS agreement places India–Russia defence cooperation on a similar footing as India’s logistics pacts with the US, France, Australia, Japan and South Korea, signifying:

• greater operational reach for both militaries
• simplified logistics during joint exercises
• closer strategic alignment
• enhanced readiness during crises and regional contingencies

With Putin’s visit around the corner, the approval of the reLOS pact reinforces the deep and evolving nature of the India–Russia defence partnership, even amid shifting global alliances.