India and Russia are set to sign a landmark agreement for the licensed production of the advanced RD-191M semi-cryogenic rocket engine in India, as confirmed by Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov on December 3, 2025. This deal, coinciding with President Putin’s official visit to India, includes a 100% transfer of technology and will significantly enhance ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle capabilities, especially for the LVM3 and future next-generation rockets. The RD-191M engine, offering 192 tons of thrust, positions India among a select group of nations with such advanced propulsion technologies. This strategic partnership not only boosts India’s ambitions for expanded satellite launches and future human spaceflight but also strengthens New Delhi’s space autonomy amid shifting global alliances and Western restrictions on Russian exports, reinforcing the enduring depth of Indo-Russian collaboration.