Boost for Make in India: Russia's Rostec to form JV with HAL for making Kamov 226T choppers

NEW DELHI: In a fillip to the government's ' Make In India' drive, Russia's Rostec will form a joint venture with Indian PSU HAL for manufacturing Kamov 226T military helicopters in India.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Russia visit an agreement was signed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of helicopter manufacturing. The document was signed in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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According to the document, the State Corporation Rostec will organize in India the production of the Russian Ka-226T and its modifications in the amount of not less than 200 units. The agreement also provides for the maintenance, operation and repair of helicopters and providing them with technical support.




"The agreement with India is the result of long work with our Indian partners. This is the first Russian-Indian high-tech project, implemented by the Indian government within the framework of the "Make in India” programme. The organization for the manufacture of helicopters is provided by the creation of a Russian-Indian joint venture in India, which includes holdings of Rostec - JSC "Rosoboronexport" and "Russian Helicopters", and on the India side – the corporation "HAL" (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), said CEO of the Rostec State Corporation, Sergei Chemezov. In the future, the program can be extended and both partners are considering the possibility of joint access to other markets as well.

"Russia and India have had long term cooperation with regards to the supply of Russian helicopters. The organization of production of the light Ka-226T in India is a big step forward in the development of business relations between the two countries said the CEO of the holding company "Russian Helicopters," Alexander Mikheyev. “Through the implementation of this ambitious project, we plan to strengthen the position of Russian Helicopters in the strategically important South Asian market. I am confident that the project will be successful and will open new prospects for cooperation between India and Russia."