Russia offers India joint upgradation of global navigation system

NEW DELHI: Seeking to step up cooperation in the space sector, Russia today offered to jointly upgrade its global navigation system with India.

"We have offered our Indian counterparts not only use of the Glonass system but also participation in upgrading it. We practically see it as a joint effort. I think our Indian counterparts will be interested in it," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said here.

Russia had launched the Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) in 1993 which is seen as a counter to the popular Global Positioning System of the US military.

During his talks with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Rogozin said India should also take advantage of Russian facilities to launch heavier satellites.

He said Russia dominated the load capacity factor in satellite launches and India should take advantage of that.