A Russian think group has expressed worries about the possible cybersecurity threats posed by American fighter jets, pointing out that these aircraft may be infected with “backdoor” Trojan horses. This caution coincides with India’s deliberate move away from Russian military hardware and toward Western defense systems, especially American ones.
According to the Russian think group, U.S. fighter jets might be vulnerable to cyberattacks that could grant illegal access or take control via backdoors or hidden spyware. These worries are a reflection of larger worries about the security of defense technology and the consequences of purchasing military hardware from elsewhere.
With imports falling from 76% in 2009 to 36% in 2023, India has been drastically lowering its reliance on Russian weapons as part of a defense strategy shift. The nation
India’s shift away from Russian defense systems has been driven by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine because of worries about Russia’s logistical capabilities and dependability in supplying military equipment. This change is a component of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s larger plan to improve homegrown defense manufacturing and bring it closer to the military standards of the West.
India still depends on Russia for some military capabilities despite this change, especially in nuclear technologies and older systems. The requirement for maintenance and replacement parts for the Indian military’s current Russian weaponry is still a major consideration in its defense strategy.
While navigating its historical links with Russia and striking a balance between modernization ambitions and current reliance, India is shifting towards U.S. defense systems in response to worries about cybersecurity risks.
