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Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth concluded his three-day official visit to Russia on September 18, holding discussions with senior Russian military leadership on joint capability development, training exchanges and strengthening Army-to-Army cooperation.
The visit, the first by an Indian Army Chief to Russia in nearly eight years, comes amid India’s efforts to sustain and modernise its Russian-origin military equipment while expanding domestic defence production and technology cooperation.
During his engagements in Moscow, Gen Seth met Russian Deputy Defence Minister General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. The discussions focused on joint capability development, professional military exchanges and avenues for expanding military-to-military engagement, according to the Indian Army.
The Army Chief also visited the headquarters of the Russian Land Forces, where the two sides exchanged perspectives on contemporary military developments and discussed strengthening cooperation in training, capability development and professional exchanges.
The availability of spare parts and supplies for Russian-origin military equipment is understood to be an important issue in India’s defence engagement with Moscow. The Indian Army continues to operate a substantial inventory of Russian-origin platforms, including T-90 and T-72 tanks, while pursuing upgrades and life-extension programmes.
The discussions take place against the backdrop of India’s efforts to secure equipment sustainment and progressively indigenise critical components. Russian-origin systems continue to form a significant part of the Army’s armoured and mechanised capabilities.
Russia accounted for 40% of India’s arms imports between 2021 and 2025, making it the country’s largest supplier during the period, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The bilateral defence relationship has expanded beyond conventional equipment purchases to include licensed production, joint development and technology cooperation. Projects such as the BrahMos missile and the indigenous production of Russian-origin platforms illustrate the broader industrial dimension of the partnership.
During his visit to St Petersburg, General Seth visited the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy and interacted with its leadership and faculty on training methodologies and artillery modernisation.
The engagement assumes significance as the Indian Army continues to focus on enhancing artillery capabilities, training and professional military education.
The Army Chief was also accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour in Moscow and paid homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
His visit to Russia followed the September 11 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where the two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across several sectors, including defence.
The Army described the visit as reinforcing the longstanding India-Russia defence relationship and highlighting the importance of sustained military diplomacy, institutional exchanges and professional cooperation.
Team BharatShakti
