India and Russia not only share warm bilateral ties but also have a good standing on the defence cooperation front. The two counties have an institutionalised structure to oversee the complete range of issues of military and military technical cooperation. From the licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30-MKI aircraft to supply of MiG-29-K aircraft, New Delhi and Moscow have a number of bilateral projects underway.
To further boost and deepen these ties, a four-member delegation from the Russian Land Forces visited Indian Army formations between November 26 and 28, 2025, aiming to enhance bilateral defence cooperation and deepen institutional-level engagement between the two long-standing strategic partners.
The visit came just a few days ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s schedule visit to India, which would be his first since 2021. Notably, the defence ministers of India and Russia are also set to meet in New Delhi on December 4, during Putin’s state visit to India.
India-Russia defence ties: How Russian Land Forces delegation visit strengthen relations?
Indian Army shared that the delegation’s interactions “reflected the enduring spirit of defence cooperation, innovation and strategic partnership,” underscoring the strength of the India–Russia military relationship. In a post on X, it said that the visit focused on an expert exchange in “Integrated Safety and Security of Defence Infrastructure”, a critical area as both nations work to modernise military bases, logistics networks and operational infrastructure.
The delegation’s tour comes just days before Russian President Putin’s state visit to India on December 4–5, signalling renewed momentum in defence and strategic engagement.
India looking to buy S-500 systems from Russia?
During the upcoming India-Russia defence ministers’ meeting, the acquisition of Russia’s next generation S-500 systems could be on the table. Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov will the progress of ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries.
While India has already expressed interest for the acquisition of more squadrons of S-400 system, it is also eyeing the next gen S-500 system which is capable of intercepting missiles at ranges of up to 600 km. So far, there has not been much interest shown by New Delhi in the S-500 system despite the Russians pitching for it for some time.
What will Putin’s visit mean for India–Russia defence relations?
During the visit, Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, where both leaders are expected to review progress across defence, trade, energy and technology cooperation. President Droupadi Murmu will also host a ceremonial reception and banquet for the Russian leader.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the summit will allow both sides to outline a refreshed roadmap for the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’, which has historically placed defence cooperation at its core. The MEA said the upcoming talks will feature discussions on regional security issues, military-technical cooperation, joint production, and long-term capability development.
The Kremlin also described the visit as an “important moment” for bilateral ties, noting that the leadership will “comprehensively discuss the extensive agenda” including political, economic, scientific, technological and humanitarian cooperation.
Vladimir Putin India visit: How does it fit into India–Russia strategic landscape?
This will be Putin’s first visit to India since 2021, coming at a time when both nations are recalibrating defence supply chains, co-production models, and regional security strategies. The two leaders last met on September 1, 2025 in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.
During this meeting, Putin and PM Modi affirmed their commitment to stable and diversified defence cooperation despite shifting geopolitical dynamics.