EU Considers India as Key Supplier of Artillery Shells and Small Arms Ammunition to Ukraine After US Aid Suspension

The European Union is looking at India as a possible source of vital artillery shells and small arms ammunition for Ukraine, following a sudden halt in weapons shipments from the United States.

This change in strategy comes after reports of a disagreement between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a recent White House meeting, where discussions about a potential peace agreement reportedly became confrontational.

With increasing tensions and disrupted supply routes, the EU is seeking alternative sources to continue its support for Ukraine.

The White House meeting, originally intended to find ways to reduce the intensity of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, revealed significant disagreements between Washington and Kyiv.

Sources close to the discussions reported a tense exchange, with President Trump urging President Zelensky to consider making concessions to Russia as part of a larger peace plan – a suggestion that President Zelensky strongly opposed.

The Ukrainian President, whose nation has depended heavily on US military assistance since the Russian invasion in 2022, reportedly accused Trump of weakening Ukraine's sovereignty. In response, Trump argued that continued financial aid and arms shipments were no longer sustainable for American taxpayers.

Following the contentious meeting, the United States announced a pause in new arms shipments to Ukraine, including crucial supplies of 155mm artillery shells and small arms ammunition. This decision has caused significant concern among NATO members, leading the EU to urgently seek alternative ways to sustain Ukraine's military capabilities.

The US has provided over $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the Biden Administration, according to the US Department of Defense. The sudden suspension throws the continuity of this support into question.

With the US reducing its support, the EU has focused its attention on India, an emerging global power with a rapidly growing defence manufacturing sector.

Indian defence companies, including the government-owned Munitions India Limited and private corporations like Tata Advanced Systems, have greatly increased their production capabilities in recent years.

EU officials are particularly interested in India's capacity to produce affordable, NATO-standard artillery shells and small-caliber ammunition, which could help bridge the supply gap created by the American withdrawal.

"India possesses both the industrial capacity and the geopolitical position to fulfill this need," stated a high-ranking EU diplomat, who requested anonymity. "Unlike the US, India is not facing internal political divisions regarding support for Ukraine, and its production lines are already operating at a significant scale."

Early discussions between Brussels and New Delhi are reportedly taking place, with the goal of speeding up shipments to EU stockpiles, which would then be forwarded to Ukraine.

India's potential role represents a notable change in the international arms trade. Historically, India has been a major importer of weapons, but under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" program, the country has prioritized self-sufficiency in defence production.

Currently, India exports munitions to over 85 countries, primarily in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. A supply agreement with the EU could significantly enhance India's standing in the global defence market and strengthen its strategic partnership with Europe.

The EU's shift towards India is not without challenges. Potential obstacles include logistical issues, such as shipping routes and ensuring compatibility with Ukraine's existing weaponry.

Furthermore, India's long-held policy of strategic autonomy – carefully managing its relationships with the West, Russia, and China – could add complexity to the negotiations.

India has adopted a neutral position on the conflict in Ukraine, refraining from voting on UN resolutions that condemned Russia and continuing its trade relations with Moscow. Any decision to supply arms to Ukraine could potentially impact India's carefully balanced diplomatic relationships.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

This is a very good opportunity...Indian defence export can get a huge boost...India can gain billions and then invest this money on R&D...EU will buy major defence items from India like rockets, drones, etc...India should grab this opportunity....Don't miss it....Exploit it.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

Russia will not like India supplying shells to Ukraine through Europe. It will consider this as a betrayal from a friend. But given the present condition, it will keep quiet. At some time, it will help Pak with some military hardware, we can be sure. Pak has already started buying oil from Russia and trying to get close. Russia also did not heed Indian objections when Mi-17 helicopters were sold to Pak. We may think it is an opportunity for defence sales, but Russia will also do the same.

 

[Chinese eater]

Russia will not like India supplying shells to Ukraine through Europe. It will consider this as a betrayal from a friend. But given the present condition, it will keep quiet. At some time, it will help Pak with some military hardware, we can be sure. Pak has already started buying oil from Russia and trying to get close. Russia also did not heed Indian objections when Mi-17 helicopters were sold to Pak. We may think it is an opportunity for defence sales, but Russia will also do the same.

Russia sold Su-30 and Su-35 to China. Supplies engine to Pak for JF-17.

Russia is pitching Su-35 to India as well. Reducing dependence on Russia is needed.

 

[Avada kedavra]

The Russians have been cozying up to Pakistan these days. They are completely silent on Pakistani supply of weapons to Ukraine. It's time to teach them a lesson.

I would say use this opportunity to arm-twist Europe. Tell them the supply of weapons to Ukraine will come at the cost of signing the FTA sooner and more on India's terms.

 

[Neal.B]

'Aapda me avsar' should be at its highest peak. This kind of opportunity doesn't come every other day.

 

[Kira]

Naturally, India won't directly arm Ukraine (even if the deal is very tempting financially) due to its position of neutrality and a good and long-standing relationship with Russia.

On the other hand, if the EU wants to itself buy ammo and other small arms etc., they would be perfectly within their rights to buy from India, and India too would be happy to sell them and make its arms industry more globally recognized in the process.

Yeah, a good chunk of Indian ammo would be diverted to Ukraine, but I don't think that legally that is India's responsibility to worry about.

 

[dnr]

For the next few months, we should not sell weapons to Ukraine or Europe at any cost. It will anger both Russia and Trump; just play neutral and watch from the sidelines.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

Russia sold Su-30 and Su-35 to China. Supplies engine to Pak for JF-17.

Russia is pitching Su-35 to India as well. Reducing dependence on Russia is needed.

Russia has its own interest; one can't expect Russia or other nations to make sure India is the priority in every dealing. Same like this, India has its own interest to take care of.

But the point is, who has the bigger card of influence over whom? India or Russia? If Russia has it, then India will be wary of antagonizing Russia.

 

[मित्र]

Let's supply shells to both parties. As the USA is out of the equation (probably), the EU's sanctions won't be that effective.

 

[CCPSmasher]

Great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Earn bucks in millions to energize our MICs and save our export market in the EU for a dependable relationship, while at the same time destroying the China and Russias ecosystem.

 

[Koorma]

We do not need blood money.

What did the Europeans say to us when we wanted to buy their weapons during the Kargil war and other tensions? That they would not support us in a war.

Have we forgotten this so easily? Why should we then support their war?

Let them fight their own war with their own weapons. In peace time, we can sell to them, not during a war. Tit for tat, that is what they understand best. The greed for money should not make us blind.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a very good opportunity for India but we have to be smart and careful about it. Obviously India doesn’t want to arm Ukraine directly but arming Europe is absolutely possible. We should also change the colour and design of the shells, crates etc to avoid unnecessary media attention.

We should manufacture and supply whatever military equipment and ammunition to European countries. What they do with them after is up to them on whether to sell or grant it to Ukraine but we should definitely make more money, grow our economy and production capability.

At the same time we should also manufacture and provide all non lethal military supplies to Russia as we can still earn a lot of money from them as well.

 

[Koorma]

This is a very good opportunity for India but we have to be smart and careful about it. Obviously India doesn’t want to arm Ukraine directly but arming Europe is absolutely possible. We should also change the colour and design of the shells, crates etc to avoid unnecessary media attention.

We should manufacture and supply whatever military equipment and ammunition to European countries. What they do with them after is up to them on whether to sell or grant it to Ukraine but we should definitely make more money, grow our economy and production capability.

At the same time we should also manufacture and provide all non lethal military supplies to Russia as we can still earn a lot of money from them as well.

You can sell it to the Europeans, but what will you do when they dump it in Pakistan or some North African country after the Ukraine war is over?

 

[Sudha]

'Aapda me avsar' should be at its highest peak. This kind of opportunity doesn't come every other day.

Why sacrifice our interests for a few hundreds of million dollars?

 

[Sandeep]

You can sell it to the Europeans, but what will you do when they dump it in Pakistan or some North African country after the Ukraine war is over?

Do you think Pakistan or African countries can afford it? No chance, as they can barely afford to make it within their own countries. Also, Europeans won’t sell it to our enemies, as they will be rebuilding their own arms and ammunition supplies that they have neglected for decades since the war with Russia began.