India-Russia Logistics Agreement

What does the India-Russia logistics agreement allow? -THE HINDU 

India and Russia operationalised the long-pending logistics support agreement, RELOS, in January to enable reciprocal military logistics support.

Logistics Support Agreements 

• Foundational military agreement: LSAs are defence cooperation agreements that enable reciprocal logistical support between partner countries.
• Use of facilities: They allow armed forces to use each other’s bases, ports and facilities for supplies, repair, refuelling and maintenance.
• Operational situations: These are used mainly during joint exercises, training, port calls and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
• Support services covered: Logistics support may include food, water, fuel, transport, medical services, communication, storage, spare parts, repair and port services.
• Administrative benefit: LSAs reduce bureaucracy and simplify military-to-military cooperation during operations and engagements.
• Important limitation: They do not permit foreign military bases or permanent stationing of troops on each other’s territory.

Existing Logistics Support Agreements of India 

• India began such agreements with LEMOA, signed with the U.S. in 2016.
• India has logistics support agreements with countries such as the U.S., U.K., France, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Singapore and Russia.
• India also has a similar arrangement with Oman under the broader defence cooperation framework.
• These agreements provide logistics support and technical assistance to partner militaries.
• They allow use of each other’s ports, bases and facilities for refuelling, repair, maintenance, supplies and services.
• They improve operational efficiency by ensuring faster turnaround time and increasing the reach and endurance of ships and aircraft.
• Examples include use during anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, procurement of high-altitude clothing from the U.S. during the 2020 Ladakh standoff, and Royal Navy ships receiving maintenance and spare parts in India.

India–Russia RELOS Agreement 

• RELOS stands for Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement, India–Russia logistics support pact.
• It was signed in Moscow on February 18, 2025 and ratified by Russia on December 15, 2025.
• It provides procedures for logistics and technical support to military formations, warships, aircraft and other defence equipment.
• It allows reciprocal use of ports, airspace, airfields, repair facilities and military infrastructure during agreed engagements.
• It covers joint exercises, military training, port calls, HADR missions, medical support, food supply, repair and technical resources.
• The agreement permits deployment/support of up to 3,000 troops as a broad upper limit during mutually agreed activities.
• It is valid for five years, with scope for revision based on future requirements.
• It does not allow permanent basing or long-term stationing of troops or military assets.
• A key strategic value is India’s possible access to Russian military facilities in the Arctic, important as new navigation routes open due to climate change.
• Overall, RELOS strengthens India–Russia defence cooperation, military mobility and operational reach.