India, Russia set to ink $7bn deals on air defence systems, helicopter JV
14 Oct 2016
India and Russia will be giving a big boost to bilateral defence cooperation with deals worth over $7 billion, including India's acquisition of S-400 'Triumf' long-range air defence missile systems and a joint venture to produce Kamov 226T helicopters, besides a Russia-built frigate for the Indian Navy.
The agreements are expected to be signed on Saturday after a meeting of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Goa, Russian state media reported today.
Russia also plans to sign an agreement on building Project 11356 frigates for the Indian Navy and setting up a Russia-India joint venture to produce Kamov Ka-226T helicopters, the agency reported.
''Following the results of the negotiations between our president and (Indian Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, an agreement will be signed on the delivery of S-400 Triumf anti aircraft missile systems to India, as well as some other documents,'' Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.
Reports said India is interested in acquiring five systems of the most modern air defence system, capable of firing three types of missiles, creating a layered defence, and simultaneously engaging 36 targets.
The S-400 missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km.
If India signs the deal, it would be the second customer of the prized missile system after China which had struck a USD 3 billion contract last year.
The S-400, an upgraded version of the S-300, had previously only been available to the Russian defence forces.
It is manufactured by Almaz-Antey and has been in service in Russia since 2007.
Ushakov said part of the documents will be signed behind closed doors.
Russia also plans to sign an agreement on building Project 11356 frigates for the Indian Navy and setting up a Russian- Indian joint venture to produce Kamov Ka-226T helicopters, the agency reported.
Following the results of their talks, Putin and Modi will adopt a joint statement to reflect their common approaches towards solving various global and regional issues.
Both sides will also approve a roadmap of measures timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Overall, Russia and India are set to sign about 18 documents, he said.
The Russian presidential aide said Putin and Modi will hold their talks in Goa ahead of the summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping of leading emerging economies.
The Russian and Indian leaders are first expected to talk in a narrow format and then negotiations will be held at the level of delegations.
Russia's delegation will also be represented by vice premier Dmitry Rogozin, the heads of the industry and trade, energy and economics ministries, state civil nuclear power corporation Rosatom and others.
Leaders of the two countries will later take part in a ceremony of laying the foundation for the third and fourth power units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant via a video conference.
