|
|
Change Your Life! |
India to finalize defence deals with Russia |
|
News
|
|
|
September 30, 2000
New Delhi, (UNB) – Russian President Putin’s visit to India next week is likely to coincide finalisation of key defence deals to purchase sophisticated tanks and transfer of fighter aircraft. Highly placed sources here said the deals include purchase of 300 T-90 tanks, apart from upgrading the defence ties between Russia and India. Officials of both sides are now engaged in negotiating the price of the T-90 tanks. Russian side demands 2.3 million dollars for a tank, but India is unwilling to budge from the price tag of 2.1 million dollars. Sources said the sale of Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, is also expected to be through during the four-day visit of Vladimir Putin beginning October 2. “The Hindu” today reported that while Russia is willing to part with the carrier free of cost, New Delhi will pay for the modernisation of this 40,000-tonne ship. The package also includes the transfer of around 40 MIG-29 K planes which will take off and land from the Gorshkov’s deck, sources said. They said Putin’s trip is also likely to clear the avionics package for the SU-30 MKI planes for India which already contracted for the transfer of 40 SU-30 planes from Russia. India, however, is likely to induct around 100 SU-30s in its inventory. Officials said during the stay of the Russian President here, the two sides will establish an inter-governmental commission on Military Technical Cooperation at the ministerial level. Apart from Russia, meanwhile, India is also strengthening its defence ties with South Africa. Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes and his South African counterpart Mosiuoa Lekota signed a Comprehensive Defence Cooperation Agreement in Cape Town this week. Press reports here said the text of the agreement, described by a spokesperson for the South African Defence Ministry as “a privileged document”, has not been released. |