Why India Needs Ukraine: PM Modi's Strategic Visit & Defence Cooperation | The News9 Plus Show

Summary

In a historic visit, Prime Minister Modi becomes the first Indian leader to visit Ukraine, a country with a robust defense relationship with India, particularly in aircraft and naval engines. The conversation delves into the critical defense ties, the potential for new collaborations post-visit, and the importance of self-sufficiency in defense technologies. Highlighting the significance of Ukrainian companies like Motor Sich, Ivchenko-Progress, and Zorya for India's military assets, the discussion underscores the strategic national interests and the ongoing efforts to secure and possibly bring defense technology to India.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine is a historic first for India, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country and possibly a war zone.
• 🔍 The relationship between India and Ukraine has been influenced by Russia, but both nations have maintained a strong defense partnership, particularly in the areas of aircraft and naval engines.
• 🛫 Ukraine has been a key supplier for the Indian Air Force, providing support for the overhaul of the Antonov 32 fleet and engines for the Indian Navy's frontline warships.
• ⚙️ Ukrainian companies have also been instrumental in providing nuclear fuel and technology to India, highlighting the depth of their defense cooperation.
• 🤝 The visit is expected to explore new avenues in the India-Ukraine defense relationship and could potentially give it a new direction.
• 🌾 India imports significant agricultural produce from Ukraine, including sunflower oil and wheat, indicating the country's importance as a 'breadbasket' to the world.
• 🏭 Three Ukrainian companies are of particular interest to the Indian military: Motor Sich for aircraft engines, Antonov for aircraft modernization, and Zorya-Mashpro for naval turbine engines.
• 🔄 The Indian Navy's frontline warships and the Antonov 32 aircraft are heavily dependent on Ukrainian engines, emphasizing the strategic importance of this relationship.
• 🛑 The geopolitical situation and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine pose challenges for India's defense interests, necessitating a reevaluation of its dependency on Ukrainian defense technology.
• 🛠️ There is an ongoing effort to bring Ukrainian defense technology to India, with initiatives to set up facilities and collaborate on technology transfers.
• 🌐 The Prime Minister's visit is seen as a cornerstone in India's foreign policy, aiming to balance relations with Russia, Europe, and the US while pursuing national interests.

Q & A

What significant milestone did Prime Minister Modi achieve with his visit to Ukraine?

Prime Minister Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine and the first to travel into an active war zone.

How has India's relationship with Ukraine been historically influenced by its ties with Russia?

India's relationship with Ukraine has been tempered by its strong ties with Russia, but both countries have maintained a robust defense relationship, particularly in areas like aircraft and warship engines.

What are some key contributions of Ukraine to India's defense sector?

Ukraine has provided support for overhauling the Antonov An-32 aircraft fleet, supplied warship engines for the Indian Navy, and contributed nuclear fuel and technology.

Why is Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine considered important for India's national interest?

The visit is seen as a significant step in balancing India's relationships with Russia, Europe, and the U.S., and in pursuing India's national interests through diplomacy and strategic partnerships.

Which three Ukrainian defense companies are of particular interest to the Indian military?

The three Ukrainian defense companies of interest are Motor Sich, which provides engines for the An-32 aircraft, Spets Techno Export, involved in modernizing the An-32s, and Zorya-Mashproekt, which produces turbine engines for Indian Navy warships.

How critical are Ukrainian engines to the Indian Navy?

Ukrainian engines are crucial to the Indian Navy, powering 16 frontline warships, including the Delhi and Kolkata class destroyers, and playing a vital role in the operational capability of the Navy.

What challenges does India face in maintaining its defense assets sourced from Ukraine?

India faces challenges in maintaining these assets due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which could disrupt the supply of spare parts and support for Ukrainian-origin engines and other defense technologies.

What potential solutions are suggested for mitigating the impact of the Ukraine conflict on India's defense needs?

One potential solution is for Indian companies to explore joint ventures or acquisitions of Ukrainian defense companies, bringing technology and expertise to India to ensure continuity in maintenance and development.

How does the conflict in Ukraine affect the global perception of Ukraine's defense capabilities?

The conflict highlights Ukraine's defense capabilities, particularly with the use of drones and other technologies, which have garnered international attention and demonstrated their impact on modern warfare.

What strategic advantage does India gain by engaging with Ukrainian defense companies?

Engaging with Ukrainian defense companies allows India to access advanced technology, expertise, and engineering solutions that are critical for maintaining and upgrading its defense platforms, while also fostering self-reliance under the 'Make in India' initiative.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Prime Minister Modi's Historic Visit to Ukraine

This paragraph discusses the significance of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine, marking the first time an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country and potentially a war zone. The script highlights the complex relationship between India and Ukraine, influenced by Russia, yet marked by strong defense ties, particularly in aircraft and naval engines. The conversation delves into the potential for the defense relationship to evolve post-visit, with a focus on the role of Ukraine in supplying engines for the Indian Air Force's Antonov-32 fleet and overhauling Indian Navy warships. The segment also introduces the studio guests, including a former defense adviser to Ukraine, setting the stage for a discussion on the future of India-Ukraine relations.

05:01

🔧 Defense Collaboration and National Interests

The second paragraph provides an in-depth look at the defense collaboration between India and Ukraine, emphasizing the critical role of Ukrainian companies like Motor Sich and Ivchenko-Progress in supplying engines for India's military platforms. It discusses the importance of these companies for the Indian Navy's frontline warships and Antonov-32 aircraft, and the strategic significance of Ukraine's support in India's defense capabilities. The conversation also touches on the broader national interests and geopolitical balancing act India has been performing between Russia and Ukraine. The discussion underscores the importance of self-sufficiency in critical defense technologies and the potential for Indian companies to engage with Ukrainian counterparts to secure these technologies.

10:04

🛰️ The Impact of Ukrainian Drones and Defense Technology

This paragraph explores the impact of Ukrainian defense technology, particularly drones, on the current conflict and the global stage. It discusses the potential short-term solutions for India to secure its defense interests, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The conversation suggests the possibility of Indian companies acquiring Ukrainian companies to bring expertise and technology to India, thereby insulating India from potential fallout. The discussion also highlights the importance of incremental technology transfer and the role of the Indian government in facilitating this process. The paragraph concludes with a broader reflection on the importance of national interests and defense self-sufficiency.

15:05

🌏 India's Strategic Role and Defense Interests

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion by emphasizing India's strategic role on the world stage and its defense interests. It acknowledges Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ukraine as a significant move that goes beyond ceasefire talks and peace negotiations, touching upon India's broader national interests. The conversation also hints at the potential long-term implications of the visit for India-Ukraine relations, particularly in the defense sector. The paragraph concludes with a note of thanks to the guests for their insights and a reaffirmation of the importance of national interests and defense collaboration.

Keywords

💡Prime Minister Modi

Prime Minister Modi refers to the leader of India, Narendra Modi, who is highlighted in the video script as the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine. His visit is significant as it marks a historical moment in the diplomatic relations between India and Ukraine, especially considering the ongoing conflict in the region.

💡Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe that has been in conflict, particularly with Russia. The script discusses the Prime Minister's visit to Ukraine, emphasizing the geopolitical importance and the potential impact on India's foreign relations and defense ties.

💡Defense tie-up

A defense tie-up refers to the cooperative agreements or arrangements between two countries for military support or collaboration. In the script, it is mentioned that India and Ukraine have a robust defense tie-up, especially in the areas of aircraft engines and warship engines, which is crucial for India's military capabilities.

💡Antonov 32

The Antonov 32 is a transport aircraft that the Indian Air Force uses. The script discusses the upgrade of over 100 Antonov 32 aircraft, which is a critical deal for the Indian Air Force's frontline transport capabilities.

💡Nuclear Fuel and Technology

This refers to the provision of nuclear energy resources and related technological support. In the script, it is mentioned that Ukrainian companies have provided nuclear fuel and technology to India, indicating a significant aspect of the bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

💡Geopolitics

Geopolitics involves the influence of geography on international politics and relations. The script discusses how India's national interest is pursued through its geopolitics and foreign relations, particularly in the context of its defense ties with Ukraine and the balancing act with Russia.

💡National Interest

National interest refers to the goals and actions that serve a country's overall well-being, security, and prosperity. The script emphasizes how India's actions, including the Prime Minister's visit to Ukraine, are driven by the pursuit of national interest.

💡Self-sufficiency

Self-sufficiency is the ability to supply one's own needs without external assistance. The script highlights the importance of India becoming self-sufficient, especially in critical defense technologies, to reduce dependency and enhance national security.

💡Aerospace Engine

An aerospace engine is a propulsion system used in aircraft and spacecraft. The script discusses the importance of Ukrainian engines for India's Antonov 32 fleet and other military aircraft, emphasizing the need for continued support and potential technology transfer.

💡Warships

Warships are naval vessels designed for combat. The script mentions the Indian Navy's frontline warships powered by Ukrainian gas turbines, indicating the strategic importance of this technology for India's naval defense.

💡Technology Transfer

Technology transfer refers to the process of sharing or transferring technological knowledge from one entity to another. The script suggests that India is interested in acquiring technology and expertise from Ukraine, particularly in the areas of aerospace engines and warship propulsion, to enhance its domestic capabilities.

Highlights

Prime Minister Modi's historic visit to Ukraine, marking the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister.

India and Ukraine's robust defense ties, particularly in aircraft and warship engines.

Ukraine's support in overhauling India's Antonov-32 fleet and frontline warships.

Ukrainian companies providing nuclear fuel and technology to India.

The potential for a new chapter in the India-Ukraine defense relationship post-visit.

Air Commodore Ashutosh's firsthand experience negotiating the Antonov-32 deal.

The critical nature of the Antonov-32 deal for upgrading over 100 frontline transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.

India's balancing act between Russia and Ukraine for its national interest.

The importance of Prime Minister Modi's visit in the context of global geopolitics.

Comparing Modi's diplomatic efforts to Angela Merkel's in managing relations between Russia and the West.

The significance of Ukraine as a 'bread basket' to the world, including agricultural imports to India.

Three key Ukrainian companies—Motor Sich, Antonov, and Zorya—crucial to Indian defense.

The strategic importance of Ukrainian engines for 80% of the Indian Navy's frontline warships and 100 Antonov-32s.

The dependency on Ukraine for Russian helicopter engines used in India's military.

The need for India to be self-sufficient in critical defense technologies like aircraft engines and gas turbines.

Potential strategies for India to secure defense technology, including buying Ukrainian companies or joint ventures.

The impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine on the global stage, particularly regarding drones and defense technology.

The acceleration of technology transfer and defense collaboration between India and Ukraine post-Prime Minister Modi's visit.

The broader implications of the visit on India's food security and pharmaceutical interests in Ukraine.

Transcripts

[Music]

Prime Minister Modi has become the first

ever Indian Prime Minister to visit

Ukraine he's possibly also the first

Indian Prime Minister to travel into a

war zone now coming to the subject of

his visit

Ukraine India and Ukraine have had a

mixed relationship the relationship has

been tempered by the shadow of

Russia but nevertheless both countries

have had a robust defense tie up

particularly in areas like aircraft the

a32

engines warship engines for the Indian

Navy Ukraine has provided us support for

overhauling not just the a32 fleet of

aircraft but also the Indian Navy's

Frontline warships you Ukrainian

companies have also provided nuclear

Fuel and Technology to India so the

questions that we asking today are what

more is there in the pipeline will the

India Ukraine defense relationship get a

new flip after this visit I'm joined by

my colleague Deepak badana in the studio

and joining us from the uae's air

commodor ashutosh L Former Defense

adviser to Ukraine eal welcome to the

news9 Plus show thank you very much for

having me on the show thanks for joining

us EA and I want to start off by asking

you tell us what it was like being in

Ukraine a decade ago when you were

negotiating the a32 deal the deal to

upgrade over 100 Frontline Transport

Aircraft for the Indian Air Force how

critical was that deal for the iaf so

thank you s for getting me over on this

point particular Point let me just you

know try and put things into perspective

uh I bring you a ringside View to what I

saw over there actually I I was there at

at simul that fateful December night

when Crimea changed hands from Ukraine

to Russia in 2014 yes that's right csy

Ambassador our ambassador denan

Ambassador Mr rajes Mr Raj chander who's

leader par excellence and Diplomat par

Excellence he taught us and gave us the

freedom to work and that's what we saw

and to tell you that on the second uh

attack when it took place in February of

22 I again happened to be in Ria the

east of Ukraine that particular fateful

night so I bring you the real ringside

The View on the whole thing actually yes

let me put this into the perspective of

national perspective and National

interest uh it's it's about our

country's National interest and it's

about any country's National interest

the way they follow their geopolitics

and their Foreign Relations uh and how

we go about things actually let me tell

you sandep if you have had any bit of

sunflower oil you have a little bit of

Ukraine inside you

yes so before the defense deals happened

there was much more happening between

India and Ukraine and whenever the

countries were at these particular

parties uh between Russia and Ukraine

India was balancing it well for its own

National interest which is doing it

today as well and and this is where our

honorable prime minister's visit is very

very important in particular engineered

by the ministry of external Affairs I'm

sure this visit is a Corner Stone in our

turning in our nation arriving on the on

the entire scene over here how do I say

that would you recall any other leader

in the world stage earlier which could

access both sides Russia Europe us and

anywhere else let me remind you Madame

Angela Merkel she was the one with her

East European Legacy was able to reach

out to Mr Putin as well as to the west

and to try and build that equal balance

which was required in this critical

situation I think after that our prime

minister traveling both to Russia week

back and now to Ukraine is the other

Grand leader who's emerging on the on

the on the world Forum who's able to

talk to both the parties and be able to

show how the balance can be developed

National interest can be pursued

diplomacy continued and the world can

continue to progress without having to

indulge in a blooded battle and War

absolutely now is not the time for War

as the prime minister's mentioned uh but

but you know one forgets the amount of

agricultural produce that India has been

importing from Ukraine as eomo mentioned

Deepak uh sunflower oil of course wheat

Ukraine is like literally the Bread

Basket of the world but what are the

three companies that you've been

tracking very closely deepok when it

comes to the defense relationship I'm

going to ask aor La this but I'm going

ask you this because you've been

tracking this story in the light of the

prime minister's visit to Ukraine what

are the three Ukrainian companies the

Indian military would be looking at very

very very closely closely so there are

three companies and it's well that the

Indian military is looking at them

closely because they're right there at

the front lines yes so number one is uh

Moto which is in zeporia yes right in

the right on the front lines front line

now motoi is uh providing care for the

engines for the Antonov 32s that we have

yes while the Antonov themselves are

being uh modernized by this state owned

Enterprise called the spets export spte

export which is based out of Kiev again

on the front line yes last we heard the

Russian army was right on the doorsteps

right again then there's a third company

which is called zorya MPR now zorya mpro

produces turbine engines for over 130

different uh warships of the Indian Navy

so it's not just the Kolkata destroyers

it's the talwar frates 20 20 Frontline

warships I must correct you 130 engines

are there yes 130 engines and it's got

uh 16 warships Frontline warships are

powered by the zorya

gas turbines and four more are building

and in fact the Delhi class and the

Kolkata class that you see are powered

by Ukrainian gas turban engines and I'm

going to jump into my next question to

eor eor when you were there these three

companies were on your table these files

with the names of these companies

whether it's Moto it's Antonov and of

course zorya how critical are these

companies literally for the Indian

defense platforms like 80% of the Indian

Navy's Frontline warships 100

a32s powered by Ukrainian uh you know uh

engines all of this makes Ukraine

automatically a Frontline State as far

as we concerned to maintain these uh

assets so let me give this uh little bit

of a correction here s that it is

firstly motor sit

SI small part but the major part is that

motor sit along with a design house

called ieno progress which is the design

house for the Aero engines nearly 97

Aero engine designs uh perfected to the

DAT over there remember they flew Mia

a225 for Russian space shuttle Buran so

there is a shared dependency in the

entire cerate of uh Soviet Russia which

was there of which India has been

beneficial of two major things a32 you

brought out rightly but also all the

Russian helicopter engines largely which

are flying in India ever since from mi4s

to mi8 to mi-17s mi-26

m2535 except the latest version of M7 V5

which have the kov engine which comes

from Russia other engines have been from

Ukraine and uh they have been standing

good for us for all all our army

supplies at high altitudes of mountains

and everything else you know what that

the fact of the matter is that it is our

national interest that we have to

safeguard uh in fact there's just a bit

of a trivia I want to bring out to your

notice zor's engine Vis the AO engines

the gas turbines for the warships and

the gas turbines for the for the

aeroplanes slight subtle difference

which is very important actually when

you want to build a warship you will

have to first choose your engines then

you'll have to choose the transmission

now this engine transmission has to be

quietened

by technology then you build the ship

around this because the ship has to be

very very silent to the sonar of a of of

a submarine yes so be that it may in

case of an aeroplane you can make an

aeroplane first you can go ahead and

develop an aeroplane you can put a

proven engine like you did in LCA and a

engine under test over there and then

fly the airoplane prove your engine and

then move forward from there so for Navy

it is even more critical that they have

to forecast 20 10 15 years in advance

that we will take this engine and

therefore we will depend upon that so

that is our kind of a dependency that we

are we are following as of now fact of

the matter remains that Ukraine remains

very very important to our country uh

not only from the defense point of view

there is Pharma there is grains which

you mentioned but coming to the defense

part per se itself be rest assured that

we are interested to see how we can

benefit from Ukraine or from Russia or

from anywhere else in terms of

Technology mind you our prime minister

has given us the mandate that it must

happen make in India Absol we need to

move forward in that direction so we

need to get sorry to interrup but I'm

just saying we one one last point that

we need to get the expertise the

technology the Metallurgy the knowhow

the experience and then try to work how

our systems can come online whether it

be overall of an existing engine or

development of a new engine or a new

technology or a new Direction a new

vector or what can Ena don't forget get

the Kursk uh uh episode is on right now

and the Ukrainian small drones and the

swarm of drones is being talked about on

the world stage how much of an impact

it's having on the war and the conflict

itself is a separate issue altogether

but nonetheless they're making a Big

Splash in this Pawn for sure absolutely

and uh you know my last question to

youal is that you know what you just

highlighted makes the case uh

a 10,000 times for atbar bhat there can

be no uh escaping that that you have to

be self-sufficient especially when it

comes to Critical Defense Technologies

like aircraft engines gas turbines for

your warships because without engines

there're nothing but hungs of metal but

given the fact that we are in the

situation that we are in today that we

made the decision of buying those

Ukrainian gas turbines and getting the

a32s and the engines with all of these

aircraft and they going to be with us

for the next two decades or so uh in

Frontline military service as a

professional what is the shortterm

solution for these worries would it be

for Indian companies to maybe try and

buy the Ukrainian companies and possibly

bring them here train our experts and

then you know get joint ventures in

India of the kind that have been

discussed give us your thoughts on the

way forward to insulate us from you know

this potenti poal Fallout of conflict in

Ukraine thank you s thank thank you for

that question but uh let me just bring

into uh examples here very short

examples the entire ICBM force of Russia

ss8 21 till you know in that zone and

range numbers would you recall which is

the designed house which made these uh

these icbms Uso the Ukrainian space

design

house all also lining the Roaring

aircraft carrier of our Eastern neighbor

who's now in South China Sea and our own

second aircraft carrier would it

surprise you that they are brothers born

on the same birth in the city of molive

on the Dead

Sea they came to us from a different

routs but they have the same uh they

have the same origin absolutely yes the

same origin the same design for the the

same origin the same design and the same

spare parts yes spare parts as well so

having said that if you now look at the

entire thing how is it possible for us

to do these particular activities either

we buy or we get induction I just want

to assure your viewers through your

channel and through you is that right

now a massive process is on to try and

get this technology into India in a

incremental manner there are

restrictions there are limitations uh of

adjusting be rest assured that our

government's bodies are working very

hard and I know some of them I don't

want to speak them about them on the

camera uh but the fact remains that they

are working very hard in terms of zoria

some facilities being set up here in

India in terms of ano venko progress

something else happening over here in

India and we are moving forward in that

particular directions well the pace of

it I'm sure will get uh benefited by our

honorable prime minister's visit to to

Ukraine and and he would get to see the

same side everybody would understand how

the shared interests are uh you know uh

an example comes to my mind which is not

from the defense when I was there in

2014 would surprise you that China Leed

an area of Ukraine of the size of

Belgium and it built a deep sea port

right next to it right and carted all

the produced over there from that

particular area to China you talk of

food

security so this is how the entire

concept is required to be evolved and I

want to assure you that right now it is

happening and right now Perhaps it is

getting accelerated and all these

components are going to come into factor

and uh we would see uh a better time for

us maybe our Dro our design

organizations uh taking help from these

design houses like ieno progress in

sorting out issues which have been

overhanging onto us and uh making a fair

progress on that particular direction it

will certainly have a large and a great

impact towards bhat and absolutely thank

you thank you so much eal for uh

revealing those uh under negotiation uh

talks with ieno mosik if I pronounce it

correctly zorya and of course the

Antonov design Bureau I these are four

of the main reasons that uh India and

Ukraine have uh you know uh a bond

that's going to last several decades at

least uh Deepak but thank you very much

for joining us eumo from UAE and uh

talking to us about this very critical

visit being made by Prime Minister Modi

fact that he's traveling into an active

war zone it's more than just talks of a

ceasefire of Peace it's also India's

national interests and certainly India's

defense interest to explain but thank

you so much for joining usal uh wish you

all the very best blue skies as always

[Music]