India-Russia Expand Military Cooperation on Arms

India Press Information Bureau, The 5th Meeting of the India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation held in Moscow today reviewed the progress on bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries and also decided on restructuring the existing structure of the Commission.  
 
The Commission expressed satisfaction on the progress of fitment and overhaul of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov and its based aircraft. Other major programmes reviewed by the Commission include repair and modernization of frigates obtained from Russia, licensed production of SU-30 MKI Air Craft, T-90S Tanks and other equipment of Soviet origin that form major part of the Indian defence inventory.  
 
Some of the major programmes considered for progressing between the two countries keeping in view joint partnership were the:  
 
— development and production of the 5th-generation aircraft,  
–joint development of multi-role Transport Aircraft and  
–procurement of three more frigates.  
 
On the joint development and production of multi-role transport aircraft, it was decided that India and Russia will have equal participation and work share keeping in view the financial and economic viability of the project.  
 
A formal protocol was signed by the two Defence Ministers on the outcome of the meeting of the 5th India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation. Two separate protocols were also signed by the heads of Working Group on Military Technical Cooperation and Ship Building, Aviation and Land Systems. These working groups had detailed deliberations on defence cooperation activities between the two countries.  
 
The agreement on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) was drafted during the meeting to the satisfaction of the two sides and it would be signed during Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh