RPK
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Indo-Russia defence talks to begin
India and Russia will review their bilateral defence ties and ongoing projects during Defence Secretary RK Mathurs three-day visit to Moscow starting from Monday. The refurbishment of Gorshkov aircraft carrier, joint production of fifth generation strike fighter jet and joint exercises between the armed forces of two countries will figure prominently in the talks.
Mathur is also likely to raise the issue of Kilo class submarine Sindhurakshak which saw a major accident on August 12 in Mumbai killing all 18 sailors on board. The Russian made submarine had undergone major refits and mid life up gradation for nearly two years in Russia before rejoining service in April this year.
Leading a tri-services team comprising three-star rank officers, Mathur will take stock of refurbishment of Gorshkov renamed as INS Vikramaditya with his Russian counterparts. Costing over three billion dollars, the 45,000 ton carrier is scheduled for induction into the Indian Navy in December this year after a delay of more than a year due to some problems in boilers of the ship.
Besides this prestigious project, the two countries will also review the progress made on joint design and production of fifth generation fighter jet which is expected to join service by 2020. India plans to buy more than 300 aircraft and both the sides have held series of consultations to finalise the design and start production as soon as possible.
The Preliminary Design Phase programme of the project was completed in June this year and research and development contract is under negotiation between the two countries to define the total scope, the work share and responsibilities of each side, and the financial implications of the programme. As regards Sindhurakshak, officials said on Sunday, the defence secretary may raise the issue with his Russian counterparts as India spent more than 150 million dollars on upgrade. The Russian facility which carried out the refit denied any goof up on its part while refitment and said it was willing to offer all help to the Indian Navy in finding out the cause of the mishap.
Meanwhile, the two countries may also discuss the upgrade of one more Kilo Class submarine INS Sindhushastra, the last of the 10 submarines procured by India from Russia. India had procured ten Kilo class vessels from Russia in early 1980s and the deliveries were made in 14 years from 1986 to 2000 and nearly all submarines have undergone upgrade in Russia over the last one decade. The defence secretary level talks will also do the groundwork for Defence Minister AK Antonys visit to Moscow in October followed by summit meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh towards the end of the year, officials said.
India and Russia will review their bilateral defence ties and ongoing projects during Defence Secretary RK Mathurs three-day visit to Moscow starting from Monday. The refurbishment of Gorshkov aircraft carrier, joint production of fifth generation strike fighter jet and joint exercises between the armed forces of two countries will figure prominently in the talks.
Mathur is also likely to raise the issue of Kilo class submarine Sindhurakshak which saw a major accident on August 12 in Mumbai killing all 18 sailors on board. The Russian made submarine had undergone major refits and mid life up gradation for nearly two years in Russia before rejoining service in April this year.
Leading a tri-services team comprising three-star rank officers, Mathur will take stock of refurbishment of Gorshkov renamed as INS Vikramaditya with his Russian counterparts. Costing over three billion dollars, the 45,000 ton carrier is scheduled for induction into the Indian Navy in December this year after a delay of more than a year due to some problems in boilers of the ship.
Besides this prestigious project, the two countries will also review the progress made on joint design and production of fifth generation fighter jet which is expected to join service by 2020. India plans to buy more than 300 aircraft and both the sides have held series of consultations to finalise the design and start production as soon as possible.
The Preliminary Design Phase programme of the project was completed in June this year and research and development contract is under negotiation between the two countries to define the total scope, the work share and responsibilities of each side, and the financial implications of the programme. As regards Sindhurakshak, officials said on Sunday, the defence secretary may raise the issue with his Russian counterparts as India spent more than 150 million dollars on upgrade. The Russian facility which carried out the refit denied any goof up on its part while refitment and said it was willing to offer all help to the Indian Navy in finding out the cause of the mishap.
Meanwhile, the two countries may also discuss the upgrade of one more Kilo Class submarine INS Sindhushastra, the last of the 10 submarines procured by India from Russia. India had procured ten Kilo class vessels from Russia in early 1980s and the deliveries were made in 14 years from 1986 to 2000 and nearly all submarines have undergone upgrade in Russia over the last one decade. The defence secretary level talks will also do the groundwork for Defence Minister AK Antonys visit to Moscow in October followed by summit meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh towards the end of the year, officials said.
