Rajnath Singh heads to Russia, to discuss defence logistics pact

NEW DELHI: India and Russia will discuss a major defence logistics sharing pact this week that will expand the Indian military’s operational reach in the region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will discuss the Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS) with his Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu during the 19th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation on November 6, officials said. Singh will be on a visit to Russia from November 5 to 7. He left India on Monday night.

The ARLS is an arrangement which will allow access to each other’s military facilities for supplies and fuel, expanding the logistics support and operational turnaround of the Indian military. This will be especially beneficial for the Indian Navy, which has a large number of Russian origin ships, that will get access to Russian ports for supplies and refueling. This will be crucial for joint exercises. The air force too will benefit by finding it easier to deploy aircraft for the same purpose. This access will also be for ports in the Russian part of the Arctic, allowing access to energy resources there. Russia, on the other hand, will be able to access Indian ports and air bases.


Talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok in September had recognised the requirement of an arrangement for reciprocal provision of logistic support and services for the armed forces. The two sides agreed to prepare a framework for cooperation on reciprocal logistics support.

India has a similar arrangement with the US called the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA), signed between the two countries in August 2016. Another such arrangement was also signed with France last year.

Singh and Shoigu will also discuss improving the scope of joint military exercises and training between India and Russia. “During his visit, the Defence Minister is expected to hold extensive discussions with Defence Minister of Russian Federation General Sergei Shoigu on all areas of military-to-military cooperation and defence industrial cooperation,” a defence ministry statement read.

Singh will inaugurate the ‘India-Russia Defence Industry Cooperation Conference’ with Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov. The Conference will discuss ways to promote defence industrial cooperation between India and Russia, technology transfer and investment in India in defence industry under the ‘Make in India’ programme.