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The first contract signed was for delivery of 71 Mi-17V 5 helicopters, while another dealt with delivery of 42 technological kits for SU-30 MKI aircraft licenced production.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called Russia a key partner in India’s efforts to enhance its defence preparedness. “A number of joint-design, development and production projects are underway. We expressed satisfaction that these projects are progressing well,” Singh said.
Calling defence cooperation a major pillar of the India-Russia partnership, the two sides also took note of the progress made in the joint development and production of high-technology military equipment and projects. Both sides also discussed measures to ensure expeditious delivery of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya to India.
On the Koodankulam project, Singh said: “Construction of Unit 1 of the project is now complete and power generation will commence shortly. India appreciates deeply the support extended by Russian engineers and scientists.”
The other pacts signed included an MoU on cooperation in science, technology and innovation and MoU to promote direct investment. The Russian side raised concerns over Sistema. It has 56.68 per cent stake in Shyam Sistema Teleservices (SSTL), 21 of whose 22 licences were cancelled by the Supreme Court as part of its 2G spectrum order.
USSR was a military and political supporter of India during a vital period of 40 years post 1962.USSR was a reliable ally during those 40 years even though India belonged to the NAM group of nations. India was economically a weak nation then-the barter trade which incl military supplies was a big boon to us.Technology denial for military and dual purpose items was the policy of the West. However an Nation states evolve and progress, we need to revisit our economic and military priorities and evolve new link ups.The technologies that India need now, for military up-gradations are more available in the West group of nations. Russia and Ukraine are struggling to maintain state of art technology R&D due to their own economic woes. As India progresses, we cannot afford to let old loyalties limit our military preparedness. We will continue to acquire technologies from non-ex USSR countries. Finally it is all about developing technologies that will drive our indigenous capability!
It was Russians who supplied and supported India during Indo-Pak war unlike America and Britan who supplied weapons to Pakistan and Denied tO INDIA And It was Russia who came forward to Share technology Knowledge wit INDIA
It is good, we are not putting all our eggs in one basket, besides, unlike the Americans, the Russians don't have a lot of restrictions attached to their weapon exports, and they also allow joint production of weapons and weapon systems.
Congress Mrs.G making moves with puppets. Do you all remember Bofors scandal by Mr.G. You all now the rest 1 1=2
Then stop anymore "ring fenced" & other foreign aid payments to India. If they want to spend money on Russian weaponry, let them pay for it with their own cash, not ours. British tax payer.
So what about the gold and diamonds which the British looted from India for 200 long years? Return the Kohinoor Diamond... It is no way classified as English property!
Congress is always in bed with the Russians, stop buying stuff from the russians you get inferior products they will be no match to the American superiority, this again is a corrupt system at work, if value analysis were to be done I guarantee you that you will get more value, quality and performance with the American military equipment than any Russian substandard equipment.
The Americans and their allies have sold us white elephants in the past: The Barak Missile deal by Israel, the Westland Helicopter deal by Britain, the worst deal ever made was the Enron Power Project at Dhabol, by the Americans.
