Make in India: Russia wants co-production of KA-226 choppers to start as soon as possible

KAZAN: Russia would like the co-production of KA-226 choppers in India to begin "as soon as possible" and it is up to India to decide the final number of choppers as the figure has "already changed a few times", the Deputy CEO of Russian Helicopters, Vadim Ligay, said on Friday in Kazan.

ET reported on Thursday that Russia has informed the Ministry of Defence about its understanding with Reliance Defence, a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, for this 'Make in India' project." Ligay said the option to partner with India's public-sector enterprise Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) was also open. "The topic of who to work with, which company, is part of the negotiation process of the contract, as I am sure you understand. On behalf of Rostec, Russian Helicopters and Russia, I believe we are ready to work with any company that will be chosen by the Indian side," Ligay told ET in Kazan.

(In pic: MI-17 choppers ready for BSF at Kazan Unit of Russian Helicopters)


Sergev Chemezov, CEO of Russia's biggest defence conglomerate, Rostec, had earlier said on Wednesday that an inter-government agreement for 200 units has been signed of which 40 will be purchased and the rest will be manufactured in India. "I am certain that there will be further orders, by then the production process will be established and put in order," Chemezov had said. On Friday, Ligay has told ET: "The total number of units (of KA-226) has changed a few times already, and this, as well, is up to the Indian side to decide – the quantity. The question of local production, in India, is the question of quantities and timeframe, and the answer lies within the negotiations which are ongoing and the capabilities of the Indian side."

Chemezov had earlier said on Wednesday that Rostec had expressed its commitment to work with "either of two companies – Reliance of Mr Ambani and HAL, and it is up to the Indian government to decide who to grant this project, who they feel is better suited for this. For us this is no different, we could work with either."

The company is also looking forward to negotiations towards co-production of its MI-17 choppers in India. It will be supplying more MI-17s transport aircraft to the BSF next month with at least three such choppers in final testing stages at its unit in Kazan. BSF inducted two such MI-17 choppers from Russia into its fleet last April to boost its air support missions on the border and operations in Naxal-Affected areas. The 3 new choppers are expected to be delivered next month.