INDO-RUSSIA JOINT DEFENCE
PRODUCTION
To meet the enhanced
requirement of Indian Air Force (IAF), an Inter Governmental Agreement
between Government of India and Russia was signed on October 04,
2000 for licence manufacture of SU-30 MKI aircraft at HAL. In
addition, the Government of India have accorded approval to HAL
for holding discussions with international partners of Russia
for co-design, co-development and co-production of Multirole Transport
aircraft (MTA – Cargo and Passenger versions). A Heads of Agreement
has been signed by HAL with Russian partners, Ilyushin Aviation
Complex, Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association and Rosoboronexport
on June 06, 2001 during Indo-Russian Inter Governmental Commission
meeting held in Moscow. A joint detailed product report is under
preparation. The project is proposed to be launched based on approvals
of the respective Governments of India and the Russian Federation.
Such joint programmes
with Russia are likely to result in the creation of capabilities
within the country of producing world-class aircraft, engines
and other airborne equipment.
The Joint Defence production
with Russia was started during early 1960s when Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) and erstwhile Soviet Union have entered into licence
production programme for the manufacture of MiG series of aircraft,
its engines and aggregates for the IAF.
This information was given
by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply
to Shri P Prabhakar Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
