India and Russia strike mega defence deals on sidelines of BRICS Summit
NEW DELHI: In what is being seen as a game-changer to boost India’s military capabilities in South Asia, Russia will supply five state-of-the-art S-400 Triumf air defence systems to India, besides setting up a joint venture manufacturing 200 Kamov 226T helicopters and supplying four new guided-missile stealth frigates.
The military deals are worth about Rs 43,000 crore, part of 16 agreements clinched after wide-ranging “fruitful and substantive” talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday on the sidelines of the Brics Summit being held in Goa.
Another deal is the acquisition of controlling stake in India’s Essar Oil and port facilities that it owns by Russian oil major Rosneft. In a veiled disapproval of terror sponsored from across the border, India and Russia called for an early conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the UN to tackle the menace.
Defence gets Russian muscle
A joint statement was issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here at the ongoing summit of the Brics group in Goa. Mr Modi said the “highly productive” outcomes of the meeting clearly establish the special and privileged nature of strategic partnership between the two countries.
They also lay the foundations for deeper defence and economic ties in years ahead. The agreements on manufacturing of Kamov 226T helicopters; constructions of frigates; and acquisition and building of other defence platforms are in synergy with India’s technology and security priorities.
Appreciating Russia’s stand on the need for zero tolerance on terrorism, the PM said: “Russia’s clear stand on the need to combat terrorism mirrors our own. We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism.”
Indicative of a strong reiteration of the robustness of the traditional ties between India and Russia, besides the military agreements, other deals included an entire range from sectors like building smart cities, space, railways, energy, to cooperation in the information technology security arena.
The two nations had been talking on S-400 Triumf surface-to-air medium and long-range anti-aircraft missile system deal for about a year now. India will be the second country after China to receive this ultra-sophisticated air defence system. Russia has deployed the S-400 to defend its Khmeimim military base in war-torn Syria. Of the four Admiral Grigorovich-class guided-missile stealth frigates, two will come from Russia and two will be India-made with Russian collaboration.
