Russia: Ministers Discuss Military Cooperation

Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov met with his Indian counterpart Arackaparambil Kurien Antony on Oct 4 in Moscow to hold 11th session of Russian-Indian intergovernmental committee for military technical cooperation, said the defense ministry’s release.

“In accordance with the visit program, on October 4 Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov and his Indian counterpart will jointly conduct the session of intergovernmental committee in order to discuss topical issues of military technical cooperation”, said the document.

Indian defense minister arrived in Moscow on Monday to pay official visit.

In particular, Russian-Indian military technical cooperation program implies 10-year long leasing of nuclear-powered submarine SSN Nerpa to Indian Navy. The contract was signed in 2004, and Delhi appropriated $650 mln for the sub’s completion in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.

Besides, in Dec 2012 Russia plans to hand over revamped INS Vikramaditya (former Project 1143 aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov) to Indian Navy under the contract signed in 2004, and deliver another 3-ship batch of Project 11356 frigates as was agreed in 2007.

In addition, it is planned to execute export contract for 80 helicopters Mi-17 for Indian Navy in 2013.

In the framework of military technical cooperation program, Russia and India work jointly on development of fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and multi-role transport aircraft.

Russia and India tied a contract for deck-based fighters MiG-29K to be delivered since 2012. Sixteen of those airplanes will be stationed onboard INS Vikramaditya.

[mappress]
Source: rusnavy, October 05, 2011