The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has analyzed recent statements by Russian leaders indicating deepening military-technical cooperation with India, including the joint production of drones.

On December 5, Rostec State Corporation CEO Sergey Chemezov announced negotiations to locate production of Russian drones, specifically Lancet loitering munitions, in India.

"The Indian side is very interested in Russian UAVs, and in the Lancet in particular. And they are willing, among other things, to produce them at Indian facilities." - He said.

In turn, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with India Today magazine on December 4, emphasized the transition from arms supplies to technology transfer.

"Russia not only sells military equipment to India, but also shares technologies in shipbuilding, rocketry, and aircraft manufacturing," - he said.

According to ISW analysts, such initiatives signal a possible expansion of the partnership, including FPV drones, which Moscow likely plans to use in the conflict in Ukraine in exchange for access to Indian markets and technology. A delegation from the Smolensk FPV Drone Piloting Center also arrived in India to implement tasks under the strategic partnership.

ISW links these steps to First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov's statement about Russia's readiness to accept an unlimited number of Indian migrants, seeing this as potential support for joint ventures.