A quiet but significant flow of Indian-made artillery shells has been diverted by European customers to Ukraine, fueling the country’s defense against Russia. This revelation, based on eleven government and defense industry officials’ accounts and a Reuters analysis of publicly available customs data, underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics playing out in the shadow of the ongoing conflict.
While India publicly maintains a neutral stance in the Russia-Ukraine war, the flow of Indian-made munitions has been ongoing for over a year, despite protests from Moscow. The Kremlin has raised concerns about this transfer of arms on at least two occasions, including a July meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Indian counterpart.
Indian arms export regulations mandate that weaponry be used only by the declared purchaser, with unauthorized transfers risking the termination of future sales. However, despite these regulations and Moscow’s objections, India has not taken any action to restrict the flow of munitions to European countries, which are then forwarding them to Ukraine.
The transfer of Indian-made munitions has taken place through various channels. Italy and the Czech Republic are among the European nations involved, with the Czech Republic spearheading an initiative to supply Ukraine with artillery shells from outside the European Union. Notably, Yantra India, a state-owned Indian company, has been supplying shells that are being used by Ukrainian forces. A former top executive at Yantra confirmed that an Italian defense contractor, Meccanica per l’Elettronica e Servomeccanismi (MES), is among the companies sending Indian-made shells to Ukraine. MES, Yantra’s largest foreign client, purchases empty shells from India and fills them with explosives.
The diversion of Indian-made munitions to Ukraine has coincided with India’s push to expand its arms export sector. The country, historically a major arms importer, sees the ongoing war in Europe as an opportunity to boost its defense industry. However, this expansion comes with the risk of end-user violations, as seen with the transfer of Indian-made shells to Ukraine.
The revelation of India’s involvement in supplying Ukraine’s war effort adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape. While India has close ties with Russia, its longstanding arms supplier, it is also seeking to strengthen its relationship with the West, particularly the United States. The flow of Indian-made munitions to Ukraine could be seen as a way for India to signal its support for Western efforts to counter Russia’s aggression.
The Indian government has not officially commented on the transfer of its arms to Ukraine, despite the mounting evidence. The revelation of this clandestine flow of munitions highlights the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that are shaping the global landscape. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of arms export regulations in preventing the unintended consequences of weapon transfers, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts.
