Indian ammunition arrives in Ukraine, Russia expresses concern

PTC News Desk: Indian artillery shells, initially sold to European customers, have been diverted to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia, despite Moscow’s objections and India’s export regulations prohibiting unauthorised transfers. According to sources and an analysis of customs data, this diversion has been ongoing for over a year.

The Indian government has faced criticism from Russia, which raised the issue during a July meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indian officials. Despite these protests, India has not intervened to halt the trade.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs initially denied any involvement, stating in January that India had not sold artillery shells to Ukraine. However, sources within the Indian and European defense sectors confirm that Indian munitions have indeed reached Ukraine. The Indian government produces only a small fraction of the ammunition used by Ukraine, estimated at under 1% of total arms imported by Kyiv since the conflict began. Whether these munitions were resold or donated by European customers remains unclear.

European countries such as Italy and the Czech Republic, alongside others, have been instrumental in sending Indian ammunition to Ukraine. The Czech Republic is leading an effort to supply Kyiv with artillery shells from outside the EU. The transfer has involved major Indian ammunition producers like Yantra India, Munitions India, and Kalyani Strategic Systems.

India’s defense export figures reflect a significant increase in recent years. Between 2018 and 2023, Indian arms exports totaled just over $3 billion. This figure rose sharply to $135.25 million in exports of munitions to Europe between February 2022 and July 2024.

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This surge includes completed ammunition, a notable increase from the $2.8 million exported in the two years prior to the February 2022 invasion.

Defense experts suggest that India’s push to expand its arms export sector has contributed to these transfers. Arzan Tarapore of Stanford University noted that instances of end-user violations may have occurred amid the rapid expansion of exports.

Italian defense contractor Meccanica per l’Elettronica e Servomeccanismi (MES) has been identified as a key player in this trade, purchasing empty shells from India and filling them with explosives. Customs data show significant shipments of 155mm L15A1 shells from Yantra India to MES, which then exported these shells to Ukraine. Similarly, Spain’s Transport Minister Oscar Puente shared documentation of 120mm and 125mm ammunition shells being transferred from Munitions India to Ukraine through Czech Defence Systems.

Russia, which supplies over 60 per cent of India’s arms imports, has expressed discontent over the diversion of Indian ammunition to Ukraine. During a July meeting in Kazakhstan, Russian Minister Lavrov voiced concerns about Indian munitions being used by Ukrainian forces. India’s response to these concerns has not been disclosed.

The diversion of a relatively small amount of ammunition has allowed India to demonstrate to Western partners that it does not fully align with Russia in the ongoing conflict, balancing its strategic relationships with both Western allies and Moscow.

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