ID :
211358
Wed, 10/05/2011 - 13:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/211358
The shortlink copeid
India to get delivery of INS Vikramaditya by Dec 2012: Antony
Moscow, Oct 5 (PTI) India will get delivery of its
much-awaited aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia by
December next year, Defence Minister A K Antony has said, amid
reports that Moscow will hand over the leased Nerpa nuclear
submarine next month.
The vexed issue of the delivery of these frontline
advanced weapon systems was resolved after crucial parleys
between Antony and his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov
here on Tuesday night.
"We hope that the induction (of INS Vikramaditya) will
take place, on schedule, by December 2012," Antony told Indian
reporters here, saying the Indian navy is "keenly awaiting the
induction of the aircraft carrier."
"We also hope that activities on the MiG-29K are
completed to achieve synchronisation with the aircraft
carrier," said the Defence Minister, who co-chaired the 11th
session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on
military-technical cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) on Tuesday with
Serdyukov.
"Our bilateral military-technical cooperation is now on
the even track," Antony declared as the two Defence Ministers
dwelt at length on New Delhi's concerns in delay in export
clearance for the spare parts of weapon systems procured from
Russia.
The supply of spare parts, which include ammunition for
main Indian battle tanks like T-90 and SMERCH multi-barrel
rocket system, has been a major issue as reports have said
that Indian army formations are running short of critical war
reserves.
"This (delayed export clearance) has been affecting
supplies of defence equipment and spares," Antony, who is here
on a three-day visit, said.
The Defence Minister skirted a question about the
delivery of Akula II class nuclear attack subamrine, but the
local media here said the Nerpa nuclear submarine to be leased
to India for 10 years, will be delivered next month.
With the delivery of the Nerpa, Indian navy would be
deploying a nuclear submarine after a gap of more than two
decades. New Delhi is also simultaneously carrying out tests
of its indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant.
Antony said that concerns over delay in some naval
projects like the construction of three Talwar Class stealth
frigates were expressed during the meeting and the Russian
side has assured to address them.
The minister, however, said "distinct improvements" have
taken place in the pace of progress of many critical projects
in the last one year.
Antony expressed satisfaction at the "wholesome outcome"
of Moscow parleys.
"The project for joint development and production of the
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, BrahMos missile system,
licensed production in India of T-90 tanks and SU-30 MKI
aircraft are proud examples of our strong relationship.
"We are sure that the success of these projects would be
models for the implementation of several other projects of
mutual interest," he said, describing the defence relationship
with Russia as unique.
Russia is the only country with which India has a long-
term programme of military-technical cooperation till 2020.
"Where in a foreign visit, except in Moscow, you see the
Defence Minister travelling with Defence Secretary and
Secretary Defence Production," Antony said, impressing on the
scope and significance of defence cooperation with Russia.
"The area of cooperation is so wide that issues of
different kinds are normal. We have our concerns and they have
their concerns. But there is a desire on both sides to address
them," he said.
Aftersales service was one of the areas of concerns for
India, caused by the lengthy Russian procedures for export
approval of critical military spares, while the Russians were
concerned about Indian offset requirements.
In the protocol signed after the 11th session of
IRIGC-MTC, the two sides noted with satisfaction that during
the period under review various diligent steps have been taken
"to deepen interaction in the development of defence
technologies, modernisation of military equipment and joint
manufacture of military-purpose products."
Antony expressed India's concern at the tardy progress
made in the design and development of the Multi-Role Transport
Aircraft (MTA).
The two sides agreed to accelerate the progress of this
Project and they would be meeting on it later this month.
With regard to the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft
(FGFA), being jointly designed and developed by India and
Russia, both sides noted that the first stage of the
preliminary design contract has been successfully completed
and the second stage of the PD Contract is to be finalised
before September, 2012.
The training programme for the Indian engineers covering
nearly 20 courses was completed in July, 2011.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions for
finalisation of the R&D contract as per the agreed time lines
of the general contract inked in December, 2008.
The minister said the Russian side has also articulated
some new projects, which could be of interest to India.
"We have agreed to consider them on receiving written
offer," Antony said without divulging any detail.
much-awaited aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia by
December next year, Defence Minister A K Antony has said, amid
reports that Moscow will hand over the leased Nerpa nuclear
submarine next month.
The vexed issue of the delivery of these frontline
advanced weapon systems was resolved after crucial parleys
between Antony and his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov
here on Tuesday night.
"We hope that the induction (of INS Vikramaditya) will
take place, on schedule, by December 2012," Antony told Indian
reporters here, saying the Indian navy is "keenly awaiting the
induction of the aircraft carrier."
"We also hope that activities on the MiG-29K are
completed to achieve synchronisation with the aircraft
carrier," said the Defence Minister, who co-chaired the 11th
session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on
military-technical cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) on Tuesday with
Serdyukov.
"Our bilateral military-technical cooperation is now on
the even track," Antony declared as the two Defence Ministers
dwelt at length on New Delhi's concerns in delay in export
clearance for the spare parts of weapon systems procured from
Russia.
The supply of spare parts, which include ammunition for
main Indian battle tanks like T-90 and SMERCH multi-barrel
rocket system, has been a major issue as reports have said
that Indian army formations are running short of critical war
reserves.
"This (delayed export clearance) has been affecting
supplies of defence equipment and spares," Antony, who is here
on a three-day visit, said.
The Defence Minister skirted a question about the
delivery of Akula II class nuclear attack subamrine, but the
local media here said the Nerpa nuclear submarine to be leased
to India for 10 years, will be delivered next month.
With the delivery of the Nerpa, Indian navy would be
deploying a nuclear submarine after a gap of more than two
decades. New Delhi is also simultaneously carrying out tests
of its indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant.
Antony said that concerns over delay in some naval
projects like the construction of three Talwar Class stealth
frigates were expressed during the meeting and the Russian
side has assured to address them.
The minister, however, said "distinct improvements" have
taken place in the pace of progress of many critical projects
in the last one year.
Antony expressed satisfaction at the "wholesome outcome"
of Moscow parleys.
"The project for joint development and production of the
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft, BrahMos missile system,
licensed production in India of T-90 tanks and SU-30 MKI
aircraft are proud examples of our strong relationship.
"We are sure that the success of these projects would be
models for the implementation of several other projects of
mutual interest," he said, describing the defence relationship
with Russia as unique.
Russia is the only country with which India has a long-
term programme of military-technical cooperation till 2020.
"Where in a foreign visit, except in Moscow, you see the
Defence Minister travelling with Defence Secretary and
Secretary Defence Production," Antony said, impressing on the
scope and significance of defence cooperation with Russia.
"The area of cooperation is so wide that issues of
different kinds are normal. We have our concerns and they have
their concerns. But there is a desire on both sides to address
them," he said.
Aftersales service was one of the areas of concerns for
India, caused by the lengthy Russian procedures for export
approval of critical military spares, while the Russians were
concerned about Indian offset requirements.
In the protocol signed after the 11th session of
IRIGC-MTC, the two sides noted with satisfaction that during
the period under review various diligent steps have been taken
"to deepen interaction in the development of defence
technologies, modernisation of military equipment and joint
manufacture of military-purpose products."
Antony expressed India's concern at the tardy progress
made in the design and development of the Multi-Role Transport
Aircraft (MTA).
The two sides agreed to accelerate the progress of this
Project and they would be meeting on it later this month.
With regard to the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft
(FGFA), being jointly designed and developed by India and
Russia, both sides noted that the first stage of the
preliminary design contract has been successfully completed
and the second stage of the PD Contract is to be finalised
before September, 2012.
The training programme for the Indian engineers covering
nearly 20 courses was completed in July, 2011.
Both sides agreed to continue discussions for
finalisation of the R&D contract as per the agreed time lines
of the general contract inked in December, 2008.
The minister said the Russian side has also articulated
some new projects, which could be of interest to India.
"We have agreed to consider them on receiving written
offer," Antony said without divulging any detail.
