NEW DELHI: Over last decade move of the defence and military to military deal towards US further resistance by the bilateral logistics pact, India is looking forward to maintain traditional strategic partnership to continue to progress.
Defence ministry sources said discussion hold for mega defence projects with Russia such as joint development of the futuristic fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and Kamov Ka-226T light utility helicopters were “well on track” after being stalled for some time.
Likewise major defence deals with Russia also includes, Rs 39,000 crore acquisitions of five S-400 Triumf advanced air defence missile systems to the $1.5 billion lease of a second nuclear-powered submarine, are also in the offing.
India already handle a nuclear -powered Akula-II submarine christened INS Chakra, which was acquired on a 10-year lease from Russia in April 2012 under a $900 million deal signed earlier.
All the secrets will be open in the bilateral meeting which will be held in the coming days. The 16th meeting of the India-Russia Military Technical Cooperation Working Group, will be held on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Indian delegation will be chaired by the director-general of defence acquisitions in the meeting, which will consist of signing of joint protocol. , the two countries will also hold a top meeting on aviation, land systems and shipbuilding parallel, which will be co-chaired by the defence production secretary from India.
India will try to balance strike between the two erstwhile Cold War opponents in this exercise Indian Army will hold warfare exercises with US and Russian forces this month.
The ‘Yudh Abhyas’ exercise between US troops from Fort Louis and Madras Regiment soldiers will be held at Chaubatia in Uttarakhand from September 14 to 27. The ‘Indra’ exercise between Russian soldiers and Kuma on Regiment troops will be held at Vladivostok from September 22 to October 2.
After Indian, US and Japanese warships conducted the top-notch Malabar exercise off Okinawa in June, India and Russia will hold their Indra naval wargames in the Indian Ocean around December.
