India to produce Russian aircraft engines, get more Su-30s,MI-17s

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) Taking their existing defence ties to a qualitative new level, India and Russia today signed agreements on licensed production of aircraft engines, supply of more fighters and helicopters and to chart a course for military-technical cooperation beyond 2010.

The two sides also signed a protocol on joint design and manufacture of a medium-sized transport plane, as agreeing to finalise plans for joint design and production of a fifth-generation fighter.

Defence Minister A K Antony and his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov signed the various agreements after the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation here.

Stressing the ''cordial, productive and mutually beneficial military ties between the two countries, Mr Antony noted that their ''cooperation today isn't simply a buyer-seller relationship.'' ''We have joint research and development and production bodies,'' he added. Meanwhile, Mr Ivanov remarked that the ''development of a close and trusting relationship with India is a top priority for Russia's foreign policy.'' The inter-governmental agreement and a contract on licensed production of Russian-made plane engines RD-33 -- which powers the lethal MiG-29 air dominance fighters -- in India, could help Russia gain an edge in the competition for the 126 multi-role combat aircraft the Indian Air Force is seeking to augment its declining force levels.

The MiG-35, which Russia has offered in competition against the Lockheed Martin's F-15, Boeing F-16, the Swedish Saab's Gripen and the French aviation major Dassault's Rafale -- is powered by an advanced version of the RD-35 engine, and Indian expertise in its manufacture could be of potential help in bringing down the cost of the licensed production of the fighter in India, as envisaged according to the new defence policy.

An intergovernmental agreement on this issue is expected to be signed soon, with the two sides agreeing today on the final wording of the text of the document.

The proposed fighter, having a formidable combination of Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat capabilities, reduced radar tracking signature, super-manoeuverability and supersonic cruising ability among others, will be superior over present fourth-generation fighters like MiG-29s, F-15s, F-16s, FA-18 Hornets and Mirage-2000s, as well intermediate stage jets like the Su-30s, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, Typhoons and Rafales.

Procurement of 40 additional Sukhoi-30 MKI and 80 Mi-171V choppers from Russia was also discussed. Russia has also offered India more T-90 tanks.

Russia and India will continue military-technical cooperation after 2010, when the ongoing programme expires, with an agreement to hold preliminary consultations on preparing a draft programme of military-technical cooperation of Russia and India for the period after 2010, this year.

It was also agreed that the 7th Session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation will be held in Moscow later this year.

UNI