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India urges Russia for joint production of armament platforms


Published : 06 Nov 2019 09:14 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 12:36 PM

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged the Russian defence industry to work jointly to modernize India's defence platforms and manufacture equipment to give a massive boost to the two nations' exports to third countries. Singh, now on a three-day tour of Russia, said the Indian government is encouraging Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to make use of the 'Make in India' initiative.

He was addressing the CEOs of OEMs from the Russian defence sector on Tuesday after jointly inaugurating the 'India-Russia Defence Industry Cooperation Conference' in Moscow. He urged industry leaders to make use of the significant economic reforms undertaken by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to improve ease of doing business and opening up the defence manufacturing sector for foreign participation, according to an Indian Defence Ministry statement made available in New Delhi. .

India, he said, has set up defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and offers attractive terms for investment. “India is ready to explore opportunities and co-production of high-end defence equipment with Russia," Singh said. "We want collaboration with you to modernize our defence platforms by advanced and emerging technology. Indian Medium Small and Micro Enterprises seek footholds in the global supply chains with support from Russian and other foreign companies," he said.

Singh said such industrial partnership can also address 'After Sales Support of Equipment of Soviet-era or Russian origin' already in service with the Indian defence forces. Singh pointed to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) signed by India and Russia in September on mutual cooperation in joint manufacturing of spares, components, aggregates and other material related to Russian or Soviet origin arms and defence equipment and assured the Russian defence manufacturers that India will provide orders for procurement of agreed quantities at mutually decided price for a period not less than five years.

He expressed hope that the manufacturing under the agreement in India will lead to reduction in cost, reduction in timelines of the supplies and progressive indigenisation of spares. "We will soon share with the Russian side the list of spares and items proposed to be manufactured in India," Singh added.