Indian delegation to Russia to sign defence agreements

Bangalore, Feb 6 (UNI) A high level Defence delegation from India will leave for Russia soon after the Aero India 2007 beginning here tomorrow to sign inter-governmental agreements with that country on various projects chalked out uby a recent Indo Russian military and technical review meeting.

Disclosing this to newsmen at the Yelahanka Airbase of IAF, Secretary for Defence Production K P Singh said that the details, including investment by both countries were worked out. Detailed project reporters have been prepared and specific roles of the two countries have also ben chalked out.

Replying to a question, he said the Indian aviation industry would receive orders worth over five billion dollars over the next ten years, indicating its growth.

On availability of skilled manpower, he agreed that it was a major problem. But efforts were being made to recruit more skilled workers to avoid any shortage in the future programmes.

Organisation such as HAL were moving out to campus of educational to recruit talent. ''DRDO had already faced the crunch we want to take correctrive measures at the earliest'' he added.

Replying to a question, he said request for proposals for any project worth over Rs.300 crore have to be worked out minutely and it would take six months to see some kind of action. Projects of these size also have an offset policy of 30 per cent, he added.

UNI