New Delhi is facing the wrath of Moscow as ammunition sold by Indian weapons manufacturers is being diverted by European customers, including Italy and the Czech Republic, to Ukraine, according to a report by news agency Reuters. The report, citing Indian and European government officials, reveals that this transfer of ammunition has been ongoing for over a year, providing crucial support to Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
Despite Russia raising the issue with India on at least two occasions, including during a July meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, India has not taken any steps to curtail the supply to Europe. Earlier this year, India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had stated that India had not sent or sold artillery shells to Ukraine. However, the Reuters report claims that a small percentage, less than 1%, of Indian-made ammunition is being used by Ukraine against Russia.
One of the companies whose munitions are being used by Ukraine is state-owned Yantra India. India is actively leveraging the prolonged war in Europe to foster its growing arms export sector. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute shows that India exported over $3 billion worth of arms between 2018 and 2023. India’s Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated on August 30th that defense exports surpassed $2.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 and that the country aims to increase this figure to $6 billion by 2029.
Prior to the February 2022 invasion, three major Indian ammunition makers, including Yantra, Munitions India, and Kalyani Strategic Systems, exported just $2.8 million worth of munitions components to Italy and the Czech Republic, along with Spain and Slovenia, where defense contractors have significantly invested in supply chains for Ukraine. The Reuters report, citing a former top Yantra official, mentions that the Italian defense contractor Meccanica per l’Elettronica e Servomeccanismi (MES) is among the companies sending Indian-made shells to Ukraine. This revelation further highlights the complex web of international arms transfers contributing to the ongoing conflict.
