When you think of Russia’s military might, you probably imagine tanks, missiles, and snow-laden camouflage gear – but Bihar made Boots? Yes, that’s not a typo. In a twist that blends geopolitics with desi craftsmanship, the Russian army is marching ahead—literally—in boots manufactured in Bihar, India.
From Chapra to Crimea: The Journey of Bihar Made Boots
The story starts in Chhapra, Bihar, where a local factory has been producing tough, all-weather combat boots for Indian soldiers. Built for extreme conditions, these boots soon caught global attention, including Russia’s, now deep in its war with Ukraine.
India’s defense exports have soared 30x in the past decade, crossing ₹21,000 crore in 2023-24. Amid this surge, India’s humble shoe exports have also taken a tactical turn, with Bihar-based manufacturers stepping into the global defense gear arena.
Bihar: Not Just About Politics and Litti Chokha
Bihar has frequently been at the center of political turmoil, brain drain, and migration headlines. But rarely does it earn praise for industrial prowess particularly not in the area of defense exports. Not anymore. The Bihar boots are part of India’s larger “Make in India” initiative in defense production. They are made using anti-skid soles, waterproof material, and insulation tech that can withstand sub-zero temperatures. These are exactly the specs demanded by Russian troops battling in freezing trenches.
How Did Bihar Get Into Russia’s Defense Kit?
India exports defense items to over 100 countries. While most attention is on missile systems, radars, and light arms, smaller but crucial items like uniforms, helmets, and military-grade footwear are quietly making inroads into foreign arsenals.
For Russia, which has been facing sanctions and supply chain bottlenecks due to the Ukraine conflict, sourcing essential gear like combat boots from non-Western allies makes strategic sense. And India, with its rapidly growing defense manufacturing sector, fits that role perfectly.
Economic Win, Symbolic Victory
India’s defence production reached an all-time high of ₹1.27 lakh crore in 2023-24, an increase of 174% since 2014-15. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently said that more than 65% of the defence equipment deployed by Indian forces is domestically produced, compared to just 30% a decade ago.
So, what does this imply for Bihar? A symbolic change. From being called a state with limited industrial output to one who is contributing to the global defense supply chain. If soldiers are measured by the ground they tread, then Bihar’s boots are now making mark on Eastern Europe’s snow-covered battlefields.
From India’s Soil to Russian Snow
Let’s pause for a moment. Somewhere in Russia, a soldier laces up his boots before heading out on patrol—unaware that those boots were stitched, glued, and tested by workers thousands of kilometers away in eastern India. In Chapra, someone who’s never seen snow is making footwear that’s wading through it.
