Sputnik:
New Delhi (Sputnik) – In what is being seen as a prudent move by India and Russia the two countries are inching closer to signing a stalled 4 billion dollar project for joint development of their 5th generation fighter aircraft and upgrades for the Su-30MKI Super Sukhoi with advanced avionics and weapons.
Additionally, most of the contentious issues between the two countries have been resolved or will be between Russian Helicopters and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) regarding joint development of Kamov-226T light helicopters. Only a few days ago, Indian Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proudly announced that the Kamov-226T would be the first defense project completed under “Make in India.”
India has also agreed to lease one Akula-class submarine which will be known as INS Chakra after induction into the Indian Navy. Russia has offered its latest nuclear aircraft carrier Storm to India.
Grounded Mi-17-1V helicopters will also be overhauled upgraded with the latest avionics, as negotiations are underway between India and Kazan Helicopters.
Apart from this, an agreement for the S-400 air defense missile system could be signed very soon.
All these developments have happened within the last fortnight. This could be a defining moment in India-Russia relations as these deals are worth than any other deal struck by India with western countries.
Recently, media reported that India was leaning towards the US for its defense requirements. However, facts indicate otherwise. In March of this year Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar said, “During the last three years, 67 defense contracts have been signed with vendors from foreign countries, out of which 18 contracts are from Russia, 17 from the US, 13 from Israel, 6 from France and 13 are with others.”
