India's defence capabilities could be facing significant challenges following a recent Russian missile strike on a Ukrainian factory crucial for the production of engines used in Indian military aircraft and warships.
The Motor Sich enterprise in Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine, a vital manufacturer of Ivchenko Progress AI-20DM turboprop engines that power the Indian Air Force's (IAF) An-32 transport aircraft, was reportedly targeted yet again.
This follows a previous strike on the same facility reported by RIA Novosti on April 5th, raising concerns about the long-term availability of critical components for India's aging An-32 fleet.
The An-32 plays a crucial role in the IAF's operations, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Its ability to operate in hot and high-altitude conditions makes it indispensable for troop transport, cargo delivery, and medical evacuations in the challenging terrain of the Himalayas. With 105 An-32s in service, any disruption in the supply of engines and spare parts poses a serious logistical hurdle for the IAF.
Adding to India's woes, the Zorya-Mashproekt enterprise in Mykolaiv, responsible for producing gas turbines for Indian Navy's Project 11356 frigates (Talwar-class), has also been targeted by Russian missiles in the past. This facility, already facing financial difficulties before the conflict, suffered significant damage in a March 2022 attack, severely impacting its production capacity.
The implications of these attacks are far-reaching for India. The construction of two Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates at Goa Shipyard Limited, under a 2018 contract with Russia, is now in jeopardy due to the disruption in the supply of crucial gas turbines from Zorya-Mashproekt.
Despite these challenges, India has been exploring alternative solutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ukraine in August 2024 included discussions on establishing joint ventures in India for the production of spares for Ukrainian-origin defence equipment. This initiative aims to mitigate the risks associated with relying on Ukrainian suppliers in the midst of the ongoing conflict.
Bloomberg reported in August that Ukraine is in talks with Indian private companies to jointly manufacture gas turbines, aircraft, and aero-engines in India. If successful, this could provide a long-term solution for India's defence needs and reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers.
However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the repeated targeting of key industrial facilities pose a significant challenge to India's efforts to maintain its defence readiness. The future of India's An-32 fleet and the construction of new frigates hang in the balance, highlighting the vulnerability of global supply chains in times of conflict.
