NEW DEFENSE DEALS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND INDIA

[johnmathew_3000]

NEW DEFENSE DEALS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND INDIA

Tuesday, February 5, 2002 (New Delhi):


Declaring that India and Russia were poised for a "quantum leap" in military-to-military cooperation, visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Illya Klebanov today said he had brought new proposals for joint research and production of futuristic weapon system.

"I have brought proposals for a new strategic partnership for joint venture with equal financial stakes in combined research, development and production of high tech weapons," Klebanov, who is heading a high-level Russian defence delegation, told newsmen on his arrival in the capital.

Saying that India and Russia should move beyond arms sales, he said time has come for the two countries to join hands in developing futuristic weapon systems especially for Navy and Air Force.

Citing recent success in test-firing of jointly developed Brahmos cruise missiles, Klebanov said India and Russia should venture into development and production of fifth generation fighters as well as civilian aircraft.

Klebanov, who will call on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and meet Defence Minister George Fernandes, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, visualized joint venture in civil and military fields as part of strategic partnership.

On Indo-Russian relations, Klebanov said the ties between "old friends are very good" and "are immune to global changes."

During Klebanov's visit, the two countries are expected to sign a defence protocol to pave the way for leasing of two Russian long range nuclear submarines and two TU-22 maritime nuclear capable bombers to India besides purchase of spares and procurement needed in connection with the present mobilization of troops on the border.

Klebanov's talks with the Indian leadership are also likely to clear the decks for a final agreement on the acquisition of 44000 tonn Kiev Class Aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

An advance teams of Russian defence experts arrived here on Sunday to do the ground work for signing of defence protocol as well as for emergency arms purchase.

The likely lease of two Shchuka Bar Class nuclear propelled SSBN submarines capable of launching ballistic and cruise missiles, could be for a period of five years and would give India the most crucial third leg of the nuclear triad.

Indian Navy has already acquired the capability of operating nuclear submarines on the earlier Russian leased out INS Chakra Class nuclear submarines in the 1980s.

The talks between Klebanov and Fernandes are to be followed by delegation level talks in which besides the defence ministry officials top brass from the Navy and Airforce will also take part.

Klebanov will also meet Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha and sign an economic protocol. (PTI)

[Ragnvald]

Coooool!

[johnmathew_3000]

My only problem with this deal is that this might cause some imbalance of power in Southeast asia since Russian and India are trading/sharing info, and technologies....i also heard that these two countries are coming up with a 5 generation longrange fighter to counter the F22 Raptor (which is the best fighter out there right now)

[jutka]

Pakistan is probably watching with interest, and will probably be hoping to have closer ties to the US to counter India's relationship with Russia.

[foma_fomich]

if only the comrades could be paid for all the brilliant contributions they come up with! . i mean in the true bourgeois spirit of rewarding the faithful, the friendly, and the fluffy

foma fomich

[johnmathew_3000]

How "good" is Pakistan's realtion with Russia Right now on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being the best and 10 being the worst)


John