Russia-India works on deeper defence ties

#Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has called on Russia to work for deeper bilateral engagement in defence production for manufacturing of parts and sub systems which are needed in large numbers and where the requirement is recurring in nature.

Jaitley inaugurated the #India-Russia Military Industrial Conference in New Delhi on 17 March.

He stressed that Russia is a key pillar of India’s foreign policy and Russia has been India’s long standing time-tested strategic partner since the last 70 years.

He underlined the 2000 #India-Russia Strategic Partnership, which has raised the level of cooperation in almost all areas including defence.

Jaitley underlined the importance of the #India-Russia Military Technical Cooperation involving joint research, development and production of advanced defence systems.

The Brahmos Missile System as well as the licensed production of SU-30 in India are examples of such flagship cooperation, he emphasised.

Jaitley called upon Russian companies to come forward for technology transfer to Indian companies and facilitate manufacturing of components/parts and sub-systems at least for those cases where the requirement is in large numbers and is recurring in nature.

The Minister pointed out the tremendous potential for collaboration between Indian and Russian companies for export, so as to become part of the global supply chain.

Russia’s #Minister for Industry and Trade, #Denis Manturov led about 150 representatives from his country at the conference.

Major Russian companies include #United Aircraft Corporation, #United Engine Corporation, #RAC MiG, #Russian Helicopters and #Ural Vagonzavod.

From the Indian side over 100 private companies including several SMEs are participating.

Organised by the #Department of Defence Production in the Defence Ministry, the conference addressed issues related to life-cycle support and maintenance of major Russian-origin equipments/ platforms such as SU-30 MKI aircraft, Mi-17 Helicopters, MiG-29K aircraft, INS Vikramaditya and T-90 tanks. fii-news.com