India, Russia to fast track joint military projects

NEW DELHI: India and Russia today decided to "fast track" the ongoing joint military projects including the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft deal as Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar invited Russian companies to exploit the 'Make in India' initiative.

The two sides also decided to hold interactions at regular intervals to conform to project deadlines.

"We have discussed all the issues including the FGFA. We have decided to fast track many of the issues," Parrikar said after holding meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoygu.

Parrikar told reporters here that there were "some apprehension" about the slow pace in execution of the projects.

Both FGFA and Indo-Russia joint venture for building a Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) is also delayed.

"And the first thing we have decided is that this slow speed has to be overtaken and a fast track approach has to be initiated in the arrangement", Parrikar said.

An official statement said both sides signed the "agreed protocol" but it did not specify what was the content.

However, official sources said this refers to the minutes of the meeting.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of an Agreement on exchange of Flight Safety Exchange Information.

Sources said this deals with exchange of flight safety information regarding the Russian planes operated by India.

Asked about his offer to the Russian defence firms to exploit 'Make in India' initiative of the new government, Parrikar said the country uses a substantial quantum of Russian equipment.

"We invited them to come to India with joint ventures and manufacture here including spare parts for various platforms we are already using...they (Russian side) were positive about it," he said.

Even though Defence officials remained tight lipped, sources said the issue of BrahMos mini-missile was also raised.

The Russian Minister visited the BrahMos Aerospace centre in the national capital after meeting Parrikar.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer last month to produce the 'Kamov' military helicopters in India is also understood to have been discussed.

The question of a possible lease of a second nuclear submarine from Russia could also come up in the meeting that is being held just days ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to the country.

Currently, India operates an 8,140-tonne Akula Class submarine -- renamed the INS Chakra -- which was leased in 2011 from Russia for a period of 10 years.

The issues came up as part of discussions as the two Defence Ministers chaired the 13th meeting of the Russian-Indian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC).

Meanwhile, the official statement said the two Defence Ministers also discussed future areas of cooperation in high technology defence platforms as well as armament for the three defence services.

They expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of joint exercises conducted between Army, Navy and Air Force of both sides in 2014.

This is the first time that all three services have done joint exercises in a year.

The two Defence Ministers also noted that both sides are working together to push forward cooperation in the field of training.

The two sides resolved to continue to meet at regular intervals to carry forward an already robust defence cooperation between the two countries, the statement said.

Both the Defence Ministers recalled the discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last month which were "constructive and fruitful".

The two Ministers resolved to take forward the understanding reached during the summit meeting in order to further strengthen the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.

"The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of defence cooperation. They expressed confidence that the cooperation would be taken forward and be further strengthened," the statement said.