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Delay in Russian arms supplies – India takes up the issue |
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India and Russia continue to spar over problems dogging ongoing mega military projects like Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, T-90s main battle tanks, stealth frigates and missile destroyers as well as futuristic ones like fifth generation fighter aircraft [FGFA] and multi-role transport aircraft [MRTA].
India raised the issue at a two-day meeting of the Indo-Russian Working Group on ship building, aviation and land systems which ended in New Delhi on Aug 19. Both sides agreed “to take steps to ensure the successful implementation” of all important projects. However, sources said there was still a long way to go before Indian concerns were addressed.
Broadly, India is upset with Russia for not sticking to delivery schedules of contracted weapon systems, creating roadblocks in transfer of technology, jacking up costs mid-way through execution of agreements and failing to provide uninterrupted supply of spares or regular maintenance. The indigenous manufacture of 1000 T90s has been bogged down by delay in the supply of some critical materials like the metallurgy for gun barrels, ordnance and armour plates. India which signed two agreements with Russia for the purchase of about 650 T-90s has entered into a contract to manufacture 1000 more indigenously with Russian technical assistance.
The story is somewhat similar in the contracts for 230 Sukhoi-30 MK1 fighters, overall worth around $8.5 billion. Under this project, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd is supposed to manufacture 140 of these jets.
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