The Indo-Russian Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) will allow “five warships, ten aircraft and three thousand troops to be simultaneously stationed in the territory of the partner country for a period of five years, and if both parties agree, it can be extended for another five years,” First Deputy Chairman of the International Affairs Committee Vyacheslav Nikonov recently confirmed to the State Duma in Moscow after the Russian Parliament ratified it.
The operationalisation of the pact is expected to strengthen long-term military cooperation, particularly in servicing India’s Russian-origin military equipment and enabling longer overseas deployments.
The agreement also covers joint military exercises, training, and humanitarian missions. The RELOS pact, significant amid the West Asia conflict and the Ukraine war, not only regulates the deployment of military personnel and equipment but also governs logistics support. This includes a wide range of services provided by the host country.
For warships, the support covers port access, repair services, and the supply of water, food, technical resources, and other essentials. For military aircraft, it includes air traffic control, aeronautical data, processing of flight requests, use of military navigation systems, as well as aircraft parking and security. Aviation fuel, lubricants, special fluids, and restoration of malfunctioning equipment will be provided on a reimbursable basis.
The pact enables reciprocal access to military facilities, including airbases and ports, to support ships, aircraft, and personnel. It gives India access to Russian naval and air bases, including those in the Arctic, while allowing Russia broader access to Indian facilities. The agreement specifically covers “deployment of military formations”, facilitating joint training, disaster relief operations, and coordinated missions.
Overall, the agreement is aimed at boosting defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Arctic regions while enhancing interoperability between the armed forces of the two countries.
