India, Russia discuss missile, helicopter, sub deals ahead of Modi-Putin summit
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar discussed several military projects with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Monday. (PTI photo)
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NEW DELHI: From the acquisition of S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems to the leasing of a second nuclear-powered submarine, defence minister Manohar Parrikar discussed several military projects with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on Monday.
This Indo-Russian meeting of the inter-governmental commission on military-technical cooperation sets the stage for the inking of different agreements during the Modi-Putin summit in Moscow in early-December.
READ ALSO: India eyes safer skies with Russian S-400 Triumf
As was first reported by TOI on October 11, India is now finalizing the procurement of ten S-400 systems, which can destroy hostile aircraft, stealth fighters, missiles and drones at ranges up to 400-km, in what will be a game-changing acquisition. Though the cost of the government-to-government deal will be decided through negotiations, it will be upwards of $5 billion, making it one of the largest-ever arms contract to be inked with Russia.
Similarly, the Modi government is keen to kick off the almost $1 billion project for the manufacture of around 200 Russian Kamov Ka-226T light utility helicopters under the "Make in India" policy by the next financial year.
Then, as earlier reported, India is also on course to acquire a second nuclear-powered submarine on a lease from Russia. Indian Navy had inducted the first Akula-II submarine, christened INS Chakra, on a 10-year lease from Russia in April 2012, under a secret $900 million deal inked way back in January 2004.
Though India is unhappy with Russia for long delays in projects, price hikes and tardy spares support, as also selling weapons to Pakistan, New Delhi and Moscow are getting set to stitch-up several new projects in the months ahead.
With the S-400 systems, for instance, India wants to plug gaps in its airspace defence capabilities. The S-400 basically has three kinds of missiles, which can fly at supersonic and hypersonic speeds to intercept all kinds of targets at ranges from 120 to 400-km.
But Russia is still to address India's technical and price concerns over the fifth-generation fighter project, which envisages IAF inducting the Sukhoi T-50 (PAK-FA) jets. Under the original plan, 127 of these fighters were to be built in India for over $25 billion. But India is now also examining the possibility of directly buying 60-65 Sukhoi T-50s since the co-production plan has been hit by long delays.
This Indo-Russian meeting of the inter-governmental commission on military-technical cooperation sets the stage for the inking of different agreements during the Modi-Putin summit in Moscow in early-December.
READ ALSO: India eyes safer skies with Russian S-400 Triumf
As was first reported by TOI on October 11, India is now finalizing the procurement of ten S-400 systems, which can destroy hostile aircraft, stealth fighters, missiles and drones at ranges up to 400-km, in what will be a game-changing acquisition. Though the cost of the government-to-government deal will be decided through negotiations, it will be upwards of $5 billion, making it one of the largest-ever arms contract to be inked with Russia.
Similarly, the Modi government is keen to kick off the almost $1 billion project for the manufacture of around 200 Russian Kamov Ka-226T light utility helicopters under the "Make in India" policy by the next financial year.
Then, as earlier reported, India is also on course to acquire a second nuclear-powered submarine on a lease from Russia. Indian Navy had inducted the first Akula-II submarine, christened INS Chakra, on a 10-year lease from Russia in April 2012, under a secret $900 million deal inked way back in January 2004.
Though India is unhappy with Russia for long delays in projects, price hikes and tardy spares support, as also selling weapons to Pakistan, New Delhi and Moscow are getting set to stitch-up several new projects in the months ahead.
With the S-400 systems, for instance, India wants to plug gaps in its airspace defence capabilities. The S-400 basically has three kinds of missiles, which can fly at supersonic and hypersonic speeds to intercept all kinds of targets at ranges from 120 to 400-km.
But Russia is still to address India's technical and price concerns over the fifth-generation fighter project, which envisages IAF inducting the Sukhoi T-50 (PAK-FA) jets. Under the original plan, 127 of these fighters were to be built in India for over $25 billion. But India is now also examining the possibility of directly buying 60-65 Sukhoi T-50s since the co-production plan has been hit by long delays.
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Recent Messages (58)
India this way can have best of both the worlds, and use this relationship as hedge in case of dispute with any of the two, in future.
Further, any deal with Russia should be only after hard bargaining, to avoid paying any exorbitant price, and value for money should be the final decisive criteria.