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FT.com / Companies / Aerospace & Defence - Russia in dogfight for India contract
Vladimir Putin, Russias prime minister, will be fighting to maintain his countrys supremacy as Indias largest arms supplier as he arrives for talks in New Delhi on Friday.
For the past six decades Moscow has supplied the bulk of New Delhis military hardware, from submarines to Sukoi jets. But Russia faces stiff competition from the US, Europe and other arms-producing countries such as Israel.
The worlds largest democracy stands at the crossroads over the supply of fourth-generation fighters that first came into service 30 years ago.
India is seeking to buy 126 jet fighters and has begun year-long trials of the aircraft.
There are many contenders. Boeings F/A-18 Super Hornet, Frances Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martins F-16, Russias Mig-35, Swedens Saab JAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon are all vying for one of the world's most prized arms contract.
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, the director of the Centre for Air Power Studies in New Delhi, says India faces the choice of joining the US and Europe as a partner in defence manufacture or teaming up in an eastern triumvirate with China and Russia.
He predicts that India in the long run may break with tradition and opt for the west.
The Indian government plans to spend more than $30bn (20bn, £18bn) over the next five years to overhaul its arsenal in the face of possible threats from Pakistan and China.
Mr Putin is making an aggressive pitch that it will be his country that brings Indias air-strike capabilities into the 21st century. During talks today with Manmohan Singh, his Indian counterpart, he will play an ace card: technology that others, such as the US, are reluctant to give India.
He will extend Moscows hand of co-operation in building a fifth-generation fighter jet the T50 PAK FA.
The aircraft, the equivalent of the USs F-35 stealth fighter, is expected to join the Russian air force in five years time. Indian participation would put Asias third largest economy at the forefront of military aircraft design and uphold a long-standing Russian promise to share the most advanced technology.
Bangalore-based Hindu*stan Aeronautics, which already assembles Mig, Sukoi and Hawk jets, is seeking at least a 25 per cent share in the production of a two-seat version of the aircraft. The fighter, estimated to cost more than $85m apiece, would also be equipped with BrahMos cruise missiles, which have been developed and tested jointly by the two countries.
Mr Putin and Mr Singh are also expected to sign a deal for the supply of Mig29-K maritime fighters for Indias navy. These are meant for the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrier shortly to be acquired from Russia after a significant refurbishment.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.
Vladimir Putin, Russias prime minister, will be fighting to maintain his countrys supremacy as Indias largest arms supplier as he arrives for talks in New Delhi on Friday.
For the past six decades Moscow has supplied the bulk of New Delhis military hardware, from submarines to Sukoi jets. But Russia faces stiff competition from the US, Europe and other arms-producing countries such as Israel.
The worlds largest democracy stands at the crossroads over the supply of fourth-generation fighters that first came into service 30 years ago.
India is seeking to buy 126 jet fighters and has begun year-long trials of the aircraft.
There are many contenders. Boeings F/A-18 Super Hornet, Frances Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martins F-16, Russias Mig-35, Swedens Saab JAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon are all vying for one of the world's most prized arms contract.
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, the director of the Centre for Air Power Studies in New Delhi, says India faces the choice of joining the US and Europe as a partner in defence manufacture or teaming up in an eastern triumvirate with China and Russia.
He predicts that India in the long run may break with tradition and opt for the west.
The Indian government plans to spend more than $30bn (20bn, £18bn) over the next five years to overhaul its arsenal in the face of possible threats from Pakistan and China.
Mr Putin is making an aggressive pitch that it will be his country that brings Indias air-strike capabilities into the 21st century. During talks today with Manmohan Singh, his Indian counterpart, he will play an ace card: technology that others, such as the US, are reluctant to give India.
He will extend Moscows hand of co-operation in building a fifth-generation fighter jet the T50 PAK FA.
The aircraft, the equivalent of the USs F-35 stealth fighter, is expected to join the Russian air force in five years time. Indian participation would put Asias third largest economy at the forefront of military aircraft design and uphold a long-standing Russian promise to share the most advanced technology.
Bangalore-based Hindu*stan Aeronautics, which already assembles Mig, Sukoi and Hawk jets, is seeking at least a 25 per cent share in the production of a two-seat version of the aircraft. The fighter, estimated to cost more than $85m apiece, would also be equipped with BrahMos cruise missiles, which have been developed and tested jointly by the two countries.
Mr Putin and Mr Singh are also expected to sign a deal for the supply of Mig29-K maritime fighters for Indias navy. These are meant for the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrier shortly to be acquired from Russia after a significant refurbishment.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.
