India, Russia to Sign [$5.8 Billion] Deal for S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems
(Source: Times of India; published Oct 14, 2016)
By Rajat Pandit
India and Russia will also finalise the long-awaited agreement for the joint production of around 200 Kamov 226T light utility helicopters at a cost of about $1 billion under the "Make in India" programme.
With Russian President Vladmir Putin headed for India to attend the BRICS Summit in Goa, the S-400 deal as well as the joint venture for helicopters to be established between defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics and Russian Rostec State Corporation will be inked over the weekend.
TOI was the first to be report in October 2015 that India had decided to purchase the S-400 systems, which basically have three kinds of missiles, with different capabilities, that can fly at supersonic and hypersonic speeds to intercept all kinds of targets at ranges from 120 to 400-km. Russian experts even proclaim the S-400 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system can "radar lock and shoot down" stealth fifth-generation fighters like the American F-35 jets.
This procurement comes over an year after China sealed a $3 billion deal with Russia for acquisition of six S-400 batteries. China is slated to get the S-400 batteries, which is designated `SA-21 Growler' by NATO and rivals the anti-ballistic missile capabilities of the US Patriot PAC-3 system, from 2017 onwards.
As for the Kamov helicopters, which will replace the aging and obsolete Cheetah and Chetak fleets of the armed forces, the deal will be signed between defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics and Russian Rostec State Corporation. HAL and Rostec will form a joint venture to set up the production facilities to execute the deal.
As was reported by TOI last month, the decks had been cleared for the helicopter deal after a flurry of high-level meetings between the two countries. After a pronounced tilt towards the US in terms of defence deals and military-to-military ties over the last decade, India has reassured Russia that their traditional strategic partnership and defence projects will continue as before.
Negotiations for other mega defence projects with Russia like the joint development of the futuristic fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and the $1.5 billion lease of a second nuclear-powered submarine are also on track now.
Soon after it had come to office in 2014, the NDA government had scrapped the long-pending acquisition of 197 light-utility helicopters from abroad, the selection process for which has been dogged by corruption allegations and technical deviations.
The armed forces have waited a long time for new helicopters to replace their Cheetah/Chetak helicopters, which are even used even in high-altitude areas like Siachen. In all, the Army and IAF need 384 light-utility helicopters. HAL, which was tasked to manufacture 187 similar helicopters in 2009, too, is yet to deliver.
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Modi, Putin to Sign $1 Billion Kamov Chopper Deal During Goa BRICS Summit
(Source: India Today; published Oct 13, 2016)
It is a $ 1 billion deal for joint production and export of 200 Ka-226T choppers. The preliminary contract for 200 helicopters was signed during PM Modi's Russia tour.
KAMOV DEAL
Kamov-226T is a light multipurpose helicopter, which is designed to work in tough conditions of high mountains, hot-arid climate, and marine-oceanic areas. It is manufactured by the Russian Helicopters.
Ka-226T choppers are useful in reconnaissance, targeting and monitoring of transportation of upto 1,500 kg load. It can carry seven soldiers or service professionals at a maximum cruise speed of 220 kmph and a maximum takeoff weight of 3,600 kg.
The Kamov chopper deal is aimed at replacing India's ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
CLOSE DEFENCE COOPERATION
"The contract for export and joint production of 200 Ka-226T helicopters is one of the key projects in the framework of trade and industrial relations between Russia and India. We plan to expand them in both military-technical and civilian areas," PTI quoted Sergei Chemezov, head of Rostec, as saying.
Rostec is a Russian state corporation, founded in 2007, bringing together about 700 firms to promote, develop and export products of civil and military use. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) could be the partner of Rostec in the deal.
OTHER DEALS
Some other deals between India and Russia are also in the offing.
-- S-400 Air Defence Missile System: It is very crucial missile defence shield. Also called S-400 Triumf, it is the most advanced weapon in the Russian arsenal. It is capable of shooting down the most advanced fighter jet of the US- F-35. India is learnt to be looking at 5 systems. India is the only the second country after China to be working on acquiring this system
-- Mi-17 V-5 medium lift transport helicopters: Talks for procurement of 48 helicopters for the IAF are underway. India has been relying extensively on the Mi-17 for its transport helicopter fleet.
-- BMP: It is an armoured personnel carrier. To augment the existing fleet of infantry Combat vehicles, Indian Army is learnt to be looking for more than 100 upgraded BMPs from Russia.
-- 2 Diesel-electric submarines: Russian media has reported that India is considering purchase of Varshayanka class Diesel-electric submarines to augment the Indian Navy submarine fleet
Leasing another nuclear powered submarine: Russian media also reported that India was in talks with Russia for lease of a nuclear powered submarine for a stronger presence in the Indian ocean region.
PUTIN BACKS INDIA
President Vladimir Putin called India on Thursday Russia's 'privileged strategic partner'. He underlined that his county remained the top supplier of advanced weapons and defence technology to India.
Putin backed India in its fight against terrorism saying that Moscow and other BRICS nations were determined to back New Delhi's anti-terror fight.
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