Moscow/New Delhi, — April 18, 2026 : India and Russia have published the full text of an intergovernmental agreement governing the procedures for the reciprocal deployment of military formations, warships and military aircraft, along with provisions for technical and logistical support. The document appeared on Russia’s official legal information portal on April 17, 2026, bringing into the public domain a framework that had already entered into force earlier this year.
The agreement, formally titled the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS), establishes standardized procedures for dispatching and hosting military units between the two countries during authorised activities. It defines the administrative, logistical and operational arrangements required when forces of one country are temporarily present on the territory or within the airspace of the other.
Deployment Limits and Operational Scope
According to the published document, unless otherwise agreed by both sides, the number of deployed assets at any one time is capped at five warships, 10 military aircraft and up to 3,000 military personnel from the sending state. These limits apply both to the physical territory and the airspace of the receiving state.
The agreement allows visiting forces to utilise ports, airspace and airfield infrastructure, with clearly defined procedures governing access, movement and support. It does not establish any provisions for permanent basing, and all deployments are explicitly temporary and limited to agreed purposes.
Logistical and Technical Support Framework
The RELOS agreement outlines comprehensive support mechanisms to be provided by the host country. These include accommodation, transportation and medical services for personnel, as well as the supply of food, water and electricity. It also covers fuel, lubricants, spare parts and maintenance services for deployed military equipment.
For naval deployments, the agreement provides for port services, berthing arrangements and access to repair facilities. These provisions are intended to ensure continuity of operations during joint activities without the need for case-by-case negotiations.
Application Areas
The procedures established under the agreement apply to a range of activities, including joint military exercises and training programmes, humanitarian assistance missions, and operations related to the mitigation of natural disasters and man-made catastrophes. The framework also allows for its use in other situations as may be mutually agreed by India and Russia.
Strategic and Operational Implications
By formalising logistics support arrangements, the agreement is expected to streamline operational coordination between the armed forces of both countries. It removes procedural delays related to refuelling, resupply and maintenance during overseas deployments.
For India, the framework facilitates logistical support for long-range naval and air operations, particularly in extended regions such as the Indo-Pacific. It also supports India’s scientific and civilian activities in the Arctic by enabling access to Russian infrastructure and ports.
For Russia, the agreement provides structured access to logistical facilities in the Indian Ocean region, supporting the sustainment and mobility of its naval and air assets operating in that region.
Timeline and Legal Status
Discussions on such a framework date back to 2018. The agreement was formally signed in Moscow on February 18, 2025. Russia ratified the document through Federal Law No. 458-FZ on December 15, 2025, signed by President Vladimir Putin.
The agreement entered into force on January 12, 2026. Its publication on April 17, 2026, marks the first time the detailed provisions, including deployment limits and operational procedures, have been made publicly accessible.
Duration and Extension Clause
The RELOS agreement is valid for an initial period of five years. It includes a provision for automatic renewal for successive five-year terms unless either party decides to terminate it in accordance with the procedures outlined in the document.
Overall, the agreement codifies existing patterns of defence cooperation between India and Russia by introducing a structured and predictable framework for logistical support and temporary deployments during authorised bilateral activities.
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