Defence protocol with Russia

NEW DELHI, Nov 5 (PTI) — India and Russia today signed a major defence protocol for joint manufacturing and licensed production of Sukhoi-30 combat jets, missile and anti-missile systems, submarines and sale of long-range bomber planes and airborne early warning systems (AWACs).

"For the first time a comprehensive document involving all kinds of military cooperation between the two countries was signed", visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Isifovich Klebanov told reporters after signing the document on military technical cooperation here.

The protocol would be the basis for further defence cooperation between the two countries during the scheduled visit of Russian President Boris Yeltsin to India in early 2000, he said.

Indian Defence Ministry sources said a joint communiqué on today’s meeting of the Indo-Russian joint working group would be issued tomorrow.

The protocol was signed by Russia’s First Deputy Defence Minister N.V. Mikhailov and Defence Secretary T.R. Prasad in the presence of Mr Klebanov and Defence Minister George Fernandes.

Answering questions, Mr Klebanov said the protocol enveloped cooperation and joint production in all spheres, including aircraft, missile systems, naval ships and submarines and other weapons systems.

Asked if cooperation in the nuclear field also figured during the talks, he said the two sides discussed in detail peaceful uses in the nuclear area. "As far as peaceful use of nuclear energy is concerned, we have a number of areas of common interest", he said.

Mr Klebanov said this was the first time that Moscow and New Delhi would be entering into joint ventures for manufacturing of new types of weapon systems and the two countries would get down to work "swiftly".

"Joint production and development of these systems would take place both in Russia and India", he said, adding that they would be exported to third countries willing to buy them.

To a question about co-production of Sukhoi-30 long-range combat jets, 40 of which India has contracted to buy from Russia at a price of Rs 6,330 crore, Mr Klebanov said, "The details of the contract are being finalised and will be signed by the end of this year".

"By next year, licensed production of Sukhoi-30 will start", he said. India has already received 18 fighter versions of SU-30 and the rest of the planes would be delivered in a phased manner.

Asked if India had decided to purchase strategic TU-22 bomber planes and A-50 AWACs, he said, "some of these would be leased and some sold".

He, however, declined to give specific details on the number of the weapon systems to be co-produced or sold to India.

On the sale of the heavy aircraft carrier "Admiral Gorshkov", he said an agreement to this effect would be signed by the first quarter of 2000.

"It has also been agreed that MIG-29 ‘K’ combat jets would be placed on board the aircraft carrier", he said.