West’s Attempts Will Not Stop Russia-India Defence Partnership: BrahMos Aerospace Chief Atul Dinkar

Taking notes from the Indo-Russian bilateral and military bonds, the BrahMos Aerospace chief has said that the defence partnership of both countries will never be disrupted by the Western sanctions on Moscow. He said that it is the “trust” that makes this partnership works.

The West, led by the United States has imposed crippling sanctions on Russia and its invasion of Ukraine in February 2023.

BrahMos Aerospace

In order to strengthen the ties between India and Russia, BrahMos Aerospace is initiated as a joint venture between both countries that specialise in nuclear-capable supersonic missiles.

Currently, the company manufactures the BrahMos missile and developing the BrahMos II, a hypersonic cruise missile.

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BrahMos Aerospace Chief Atul Dinkar on Indo-Russian ties

Speaking to a Russian news agency, the BrahMos Aerospace Indo-Russian Joint Venture Managing Director and CEO, Atul Dhinkar Rane said that the West’s attempts will not stop the Russia-India defence partnership, nor will it impact the company’s operations.

When asked whether Western countries could halt India-Russia defence and security cooperation, the CEO said, “My personal gut feeling – it is never!”

“And if someone tries, he will only fail. The relationship between the Indian scientists and Russian technologists is so deep right now that it’s not going to be possible to break it. Even if someone tells us by law – no more talking with Russia, you will start talking to someone else – but we’ll always say it was easier to work with the Russians,” said Rane.

Despite the sanctions from the West, he asserted it is the trust between India and Russia that will help this partnership work.

Moreover, he said, “The trust which we have developed between the two partners… that trust is good enough for us to work, and we are working forward — despite all these sanctions.”

Russia is the main supplier of India

According to media reports, Russia has traditionally been India’s main arms supplier.

Unlike many other leading Western powers, India has not directly criticised Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and it abstained from a vote at the UN platforms in condemning the Russian aggression. India has been pressing for the resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.

Further, Rane also said that many foreign countries express their interest in purchasing various versions of the BrahMos cruise missile.

“The Philippines is the first order that we got,” he said, adding that five countries have currently placed their orders. “So far, I can say that they are from South East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America,” Rane added that BrahMos Aerospace plans to start shipping missiles to the Philippines in the middle or the second half of this year.