3,000 troops, 5 warships: India-Russia pact signals major defence shift

This arrangement, revealed in a document posted on Russia’s official legal‑information portal, also permits the simultaneous deployment of 10 military aircraft and 5 warships, reported Sputnik.

The agreement lays out rules for the mutual stationing of military units, ships, and aircraft, and includes provisions for logistical, technical, and operational support for forces deployed by either country, the Russian news agency reported.

The pact becomes operational at a time when the Middle East tension is ongoing, adding its strategic significance. 

According to a statement issued by the Russian President’s Office, the agreement is aimed at defining the framework for the deployment of military formations, port calls by warships, and the use of airspace and airfield infrastructure by military aircraft of both nations.

“It further provides for organising logistical support for these military formations, warships, military aircraft, and other equipment of the Parties,” the statement said.

Data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that India remains the world’s second-largest arms importer. Russia continues to be a key supplier, accounting for 40 per cent of India’s arms imports, though this marks a decline from 51 per cent during 2016–20 and 70 per cent in 2011–15.

India-US LEMOA Agreement

India and the United States signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in Washington, DC, on August 29, 2016.

LEMOA is a facilitating pact that establishes the terms and procedures for reciprocal logistical support, supplies, and services between the armed forces of the two countries. These include provisions such as food, water, accommodation, transportation, fuel, medical services, training, maintenance, and port services.

At the time, the Indian government clarified that LEMOA does not create any obligation for joint military operations and does not allow the establishment of military bases.

LEMOA differs from RELOS due to the provision of stationing troops, reported NDTV.