Russia, India to Sign $4 billion Military Contracts

Russia and India are expected to sign three contracts in military technical cooperation totaling $4 billion, including retrofitting the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier during Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Vedomosti Russian daily reported.A $2.35-billion contract between Russia's state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport and the Indian Defense Ministry on refitting the INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) and the $1.2-billion contract on delivery of MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighters will be signed during Putin's visit to India on March 11-12.

The Vikramaditya is currently undergoing repairs and refit at the Sevmash shipyard in Russia.The initial refit agreement of $970 million went up to additional $1.5 billion India is expected to allocate to Sevmash shipyard which already expended the money that was allocated for the Vikramaditya's refit.DNA India said that the countries might also sign an agreement on nuclear reactors in Kudankulam and in Haripur, a new nuclear park in West Bengal.

Further agreements will include fifth generation fighter aircraft project developed jointly by both countries, and work on a multi-role transport aircraft.India has a long history of defense relations with Moscow. The current cooperation program until 2010 comprises about 200 joint projects, including the modernization of the Vikramaditya for the Indian Navy, the transfer of technology for the licensed assembly of T-90 tanks in India, the production of BrahMos missiles and the purchase of Smerch MLRS by India.

RIA Novosti

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