Serdyukov leaves for India to co-chair defence talks with Antony

Moscow, Sep 28 (UNI) Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov today left for India, leading a high-level delegation to co-chair the 8th meeting of Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation with his Indian counterpart A K Antony.

At the meeting, the two sides are expected to discuss the implementation of a joint programme for military-technical cooperation up to 2010 and preparations for its further extension.

The current programme comprises about 200 joint projects, including the modernisation of the heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov for the Indian navy, the transfer of technologies for licensed assembly of T-90 tanks in India, joint development and production of fifth generation fighter aircraft and multi-role military transport aircraft, the production of BrahMos missiles and the purchase of Smerch MLRS by India.

During his three-day visit, Serdyukov is also expected to visit Agra.

UNI XC ARB AS1746