Defense Deals: From Russia to France and USA

Go back 20 years, and India’s defense was almost entirely Soviet/Russian. Look at the Indian Air Force today: we have French Rafales, American C-17s, Israeli AWACS, and Russian S-400 systems. It’s a logistical nightmare, but a geopolitical masterpiece. By diversifying our defense suppliers, we ensure that no single country can hold us hostage with sanctions or spare parts. The S-400 deal with Russia was particularly bold because the US threatened sanctions under CAATSA. India went ahead anyway. It was a message: we are sovereign. However, there’s a hidden cost. ‘Make in India’ is still lagging. We are spending billions on imports instead of building a domestic industry. The real geopolitical win will be when we don’t just choose who to buy from, but we are the ones selling to others.