Indian Minister Hails Russian Friendship, But Slams Tardiness

India and Russia held their annual meeting to review the defence ties in Moscow on Tuesday (04 Oct 2011) and expressed ‘readiness to take all necessary measures to further expand the cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis’. In a Protocol signed after the eleventh meeting of the India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation, co-chaired by the Defence Minister AK Antony and his Russian counterpart AE Serdyukov, the two sides noted with satisfaction that that during the period under review various diligent steps have been taken ‘to deepen interaction in the development of defence technologies, modernization of military equipment and joint manufacture of military-purpose products’.

‘Such cooperation involves the strengthening of interactions between the Armed Forces, defense industry enterprises and research agencies of the two countries’, the Protocol noted.

Speaking at the meeting, Shri Antony said India-Russia defence relationship has grown both in content and scope over the years. He said India highly values the time tested, strong and multi- faceted relationship with Russia.

Referring to planned delivery of Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya, Shri Antony said, “We are keenly awaiting the induction of the Aircraft Carrier into the Indian Navy. This project has attracted considerable public attention in India. We hope that the induction will take place, on schedule, by end 2012. We also hope that all activities on the MiG-29K are completed to achieve synchronization with the aircraft carrier.”

Nevertheless, Antony drew the attention of the Russian side to the vexing issue of delayed export clearances for vital repair equipment for already contracted weapons systems. This has been affecting supplies of defence equipment and spares. The Russian side assured the Indian side that the matter was receiving attention at highest levels in the Russian Government and efforts would made to institutionalize measures to avoid such delays in future.

Antony also expressed India’s concern at the tardy progress made in the design and development of the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft (MTA). The two sides agreed to accelerate the progress of this Project and they would be meeting later this month.

With regard to the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), being jointly designed and developed by India and Russia, both sides noted that the first stage of the preliminary design contract has been successfully completed and the second stage of the PD Contract is to be finalised before September, 2012. The training programme for the Indian engineers covering nearly 20 courses was completed in July 2011. Both sides agreed to continue discussions for finalization of the R&D contract as per the agreed time lines of the general contract signed in December, 2008.

12 thoughts on “Indian Minister Hails Russian Friendship, But Slams Tardiness”

  1. The efficiency with which the Americans delivered C-130 is commendable. Every other programme involving Russians is mired with delays and delays!!! Not that the Americans are our friends in arms. But i think yhe American machines are a class apart. Russians stopped developing after 1980s. PAK-FA could be an exception!!!! Gorshakov,nerpa,frigates etc…all have crossed delivery deadlines !!! God knows what weill be the quality of Gorshakov for all that billions spent!!!

  2. ^^^^ NRJ!!!"Nevertheless, Antony drew the attention of the Russian side to the vexing issue of delayed export clearances for vital repair equipment for already contracted weapons systems. This has been affecting supplies of defence equipment and spares."
    Is this what you call as sharing of technology? come on!!!

  3. Hi Shiv, I have read in the news that the INS Nerpa is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy by next month (http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20111004/167374215.html) and that the INS Arihant, will also be commissioned by December 2011- "The Indian Navy seems to be sceptical of using nuclear energy for its aricraft carriers, though it plans to commission the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant in December." (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/navy-%E2%80%98no%E2%80%99-n-energy-aircraft-carriers-575).. it means India would have 2 operational N-subs before the year end..can u shed more light on this.. Thanks

  4. Long live friendship between India and Russian.

    But when it comes to business please ask Russian to deliver hardware on time.

  5. Stop talking crap ask anyone else to give you a nuke submarine at any cost or supersonic Brahmos missile and the like and they will say take this old or rotten model and not the best even before it is inducted in the Russian armed forces even cryogenic engines were given by Russians and Russians are friends in need and indeed

  6. Hey Shiv! Can you tell us why IAF is going for Single seater FGFA but but
    earlier they were saying that they want a twin seater FGFA.

    then this will be same as of Su30mki only upgraded parts.

    please explain…………

  7. It all can be summarized as active and timely cooperation in the fields of hyper technologies with reiteration that India highly values the time tested, strong and multi-faceted relationship with Russia.

  8. Although c130J delivery is commendable. Americans cannot be believed, at critical time, they will withdraw their support and stop spare supply. Only Russia and France has done it, that is why they are getting more projects.

  9. ^^^ pilots ara a rare commodity. PAK-FA is meant for the next decade when UCAVs will start flying!!! with all the automation and flight computers ,why do we need a second pilot? FGFA will loose its stealth ,if they try to accommodate another pilot in tandem..At least good sense prevails with the new Air chief!!!

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