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Bangalore (AFP): India and Russia will sign a slew of military deals, including on joint production of a fighter jet, when President Vladimir Putin visits later this week, a Russian minister said Tuesday. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters in the southern high-tech city of Bangalore that many “very serious and very substantial” agreements will be signed during Putin's two-day trip which begins Thursday.
“First of all I would like to mention the joint production and development of multi-role transport aircraft,” said Ivanov, who is also defence minister.
“Within a couple of days we will be able to sign a document with regard to cooperation in this area,” said Ivanov, kicking off his own five-day visit to India.
“The second area is the upgrade of Russian-made Sukhoi 30 MKi aircraft and MiG 29 fighter and finally joint collaboration in the production of the fifth-generation fighter,” Ivanov said.
Russia accounts for the supply of more than 70 percent of India's military hardware. But tardy delivery and a prolonged row over ruble-rupee trade have prompted India to shop for Western arms from countries including Britain, France, Israel and the United States.
Russia says it has sold arms worth 10 billion dollars to India in the past five years and that deals worth a similar sum were in the pipeline.
India, which sees neighbours Pakistan and China as threats even though ties have improved, is updating its defence equipment after decades of neglect.
India's military, the world's fourth largest with around 1.3 million people in uniform, aims to buy new fighters and trainer jets, submarines, radar equipment and weaponry.
Ivanov, who noted that military and technical cooperation between the two nations started 44 years ago, said he also discussed with Indian aircraft manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, the possibility of joint production of helicopters and aeroplane engines.
He said India has “made clear its intention” to participate in the fifth generation fighter aircraft being developed by Russian warplane manufacturer Sukhoi slated to take to the skies in 2009.
“Russia stands ready to involve India in this project,” Ivanov said.
On an Indian plan to export missiles, particularly the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile developed jointly with Russia, he said Russia would have “nothing to do with putting obstacles on the sale of Bramhos missile to some specific Third World countries.”
Ivanov added Russia would actively participate in the Indian Air Force tender for 126 multi-purpose fighters, a contract valued at close to 10 billion dollars.
The tender by the Indian air force puts Lockheed's F-16 warplane and Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet up against fighters from Russia, France and Sweden.
