Source: PTI
Moscow, Feb 6 (PTI) After nine years of assessment and negotiations, India is close to the signing of "Smerch" (Tornado) Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) deal with Russia, according to reports.
The USD 450-million deal is expected to be signed within few months and will be the largest supply of Russian weapons for Indian Army since the USD 800 million contract for the supply and licensed production of 310 T-90S main battle tanks, leading Russian financial daily Vedomosti" last week reported.
Quoting a source, it said that at least 36 "Smerch" systems are expected to be supplied to India.
According to Marat Kenzhetayev, an expert of the Centre for Disarmament Studies, until recently, the Smerch MLRS, the most powerful in the Russian army, were exported to Algeria (18 in 1999) and Kuwait (27 in 1995-96) alone.
Designed by Tula-based "Splav" state enterprise, "Smerch" is a new generation self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system capable of destroying various enemy targets over the territory of 67 hectares in one volley of its 12 barrels capable of firing smart weapons between the range of 20-90 kilometres.
Russia's state arms exporting agency 'Rosoboronexport' had formally offered "Smerch" to India in 1998, but it was in the aftermath of Kargil that talks gathered some momentum.
"If we had Smerch during Kargil crisis, we would have flattened the Tiger Hill in one volley, for which we had to sacrifice many lives," an Indian military expert told PTI.
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Moscow, Feb 6 (PTI) After nine years of assessment and negotiations, India is close to the signing of "Smerch" (Tornado) Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) deal with Russia, according to reports.
The USD 450-million deal is expected to be signed within few months and will be the largest supply of Russian weapons for Indian Army since the USD 800 million contract for the supply and licensed production of 310 T-90S main battle tanks, leading Russian financial daily Vedomosti" last week reported.
Quoting a source, it said that at least 36 "Smerch" systems are expected to be supplied to India.
According to Marat Kenzhetayev, an expert of the Centre for Disarmament Studies, until recently, the Smerch MLRS, the most powerful in the Russian army, were exported to Algeria (18 in 1999) and Kuwait (27 in 1995-96) alone.
Designed by Tula-based "Splav" state enterprise, "Smerch" is a new generation self-propelled multiple rocket launcher system capable of destroying various enemy targets over the territory of 67 hectares in one volley of its 12 barrels capable of firing smart weapons between the range of 20-90 kilometres.
Russia's state arms exporting agency 'Rosoboronexport' had formally offered "Smerch" to India in 1998, but it was in the aftermath of Kargil that talks gathered some momentum.
"If we had Smerch during Kargil crisis, we would have flattened the Tiger Hill in one volley, for which we had to sacrifice many lives," an Indian military expert told PTI.
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