India to develop nuclear subs with Russian aid
Vinay Shukla (Press Trust of India)
Moscow, November 16, 2005
Russia has agreed to help India in developing indigenous nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carriers, while India is ready for joint development of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Moscow on Wednesday.
The issue of vessels were discussed and Russia has agreed to provide all possible help and the advanced technology available with it, Mukherjee said after talks with his his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov.
"For some components joint ventures and joint production would be set up," he said when asked if Russian cooperation in the development of Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) and Air Defence Ship (ADS) projects was discussed with Russian Defence Minister.
ATV is an indigenous project for the development of nuclear submarine and ADS project is for the development of aircraft carriers.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Mukherjee said India will take part in the development and financing of a fifth generation super fighter aircraft project with Russia.
"We exchanged views. Active contacts are going on with Russian side. Our air force is in contact with their Russian counterpart, HAL and Sukhoi Corporation are talking on manufacturing aspects.
"We are keen on taking part in the development and financing of the fifth generation fighter," Mukherjee said.
He also announced that Russia's Defence Ministry has agreed to provide access to the Russian GLONASS global navigational satellite system for military application to India, an alternative to Pentagon-controlled US Global Positioning System (GPS).
IPR agreement next month
The two countries have finalised a military intellectual property rights (IPR) agreement which will be signed during the summit of their leaders early next month.
The agreement was finalised at the fifth session of the Indo-Russian Inter-governmental Commisssion on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), the steering body of long-term defence cooperation between the two countries.
Manmohan to visit Russia
During Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Russia visit next month for the summit meeting with President Vladimir Putin, the two countries will also ink an agreement on joint development and production of multi-role transport aircraft, Mukherjee, who signed protocol of IRIGC-MTC along with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov, said.
The fifth session of IRIGC-MTC, which had opened on Tuesday, concluded on Wednesday.
Putin hails defence ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed growing defence ties with India as the two sides promised further cooperation in military training and defence industry development.
"Relations between our defence establishments are developing in the very best way," Putin said.
"I do hope it will be possible. ... It will be a very viable project," said Mukherjee, adding that the deal envisaged Russia obtaining 100 of the new aircraft while India would get 45.
"Our interest is not only to participate in financial terms, but we would also like to be involved in the process of development of the aircraft," Mukherjee said, referring to links with Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker.
The two countries intend to follow up joint military exercises that took place in Rajasthan last month with further exercises on Russian territory, Interfax news agency quoted Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov as saying earlier Wednesday.
"I confirm that in 2006-07 we will certainly carry out joint exercises on Russian territory involving the two countries' special forces," Ivanov said.
Mukherjee said the two countries were looking at signing contracts on Russian defence-related sales to India worth as much as 10 billion dollars, Interfax said.
Russia and India also plan to cooperate on producing defence equipment for sale to third countries, Ivanov said.
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