Several major agreements, including three key defence deals worth at least $7 billion sealed; PM Modi says old friend Russia will remain India's major defence partner; terrorism and NSG bid discussed at meeting with China
NEW DELHI: Reiterating that Russia was its major defence partner, India on Saturday announced the procurement of S-400 Triumf air defence systems at a cost of nearly $6 billion. The nations also agreed to set up a joint production facility for making Kamov light utility helicopters and collaborate in the making of four state-of-the art frigates for the Indian Navy.
The decision to buy the much vaunted S-400 air defence guns will be a game changer in the region, say experts. It will also be the second-costliest deal after the purchase of Rafale fighter jets, which was inked with France last month. The Defence Ministry's top acquisition body, headed by Manohar Parrikar, had given the go-ahead for the Russian deal in December last year. The deal was mooted to boost the fledging air defence due to ageing air protection and patchy radar coverage. S-400, according to the IAF, is capable of intercepting and destroying airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 km. The system can also simultaneously engage and defend up to six targets. So far, only US, Russia and China have the capability to engage and neutralise multiple aerial attacks, including ballistic missiles and stealth aircraft from a distance.
The system is capable of firing three types of missiles, thereby creating a layered defence. India and China are the only countries to have procured the S-400 system from Russia. China's deal was pegged to be around $3 billion.
Stealth Frigates: Another important deal signed was the purchase of Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356) guided-missile stealth frigates. Under this deal, two vessels will come from Russia while two others will be built in India with Russian collaboration. Already, between 2003 and 2013, Russia had helped India build six Talwar-class frigates.
Chopper Power: The decision to produce 200 Kamov 226T helicopters domestically with the help of Russia is expected to benefit soldiers deployed in high altitudes. The agreement, costing about $1 billion, will replace the country's ageing Chetak choppers.
In 2012, the Army headquarters had written to the office of the then Defence Minister AK Antony, highlighting issues with the current fleet of helicopters, including low reliability, structural failures and increasing cases of accidents. The Army had gone on to say that Cheetah/Chetak helicopters are akin to "death traps". According to an official, as many as 14 pilots have lost their lives in Cheetah crashes in the recent years. There are about 250 Cheetahs/Chetak with the Army Aviation Corps. Their airframe life is about 4,500 hours, but most have logged over 6,000 flying hours.
India, china discuss nsg bid, terrorism
India and China will soon hold a dialogue on New Delhi's bid for NSG membership to narrow down "differences"
President Xi Jinping told PM Modi that a second round of dialouge would be held soon
India made it clear to China that they cannot afford to have differences on the issue of terrorism
This comes in the backdrop of Beijing blocking UN ban on JeM Chief Masood Azhar
National Security Advisors of both countries are expected to meet soon to review security situation
Indian officials claimed that leaders of both nations agreed that terrorism was a scourge for the region