Antony arrives in Russia; cementing defence ties on agenda

Vinay Shukla

Moscow, Oct 13 (PTI) Indian Defence Minister A K Antony
arrived here Tuesday for a crucial meeting of a key joint
defence commission as the two countries are poised to finalise
new co-ventures in strategic weapons, including investment and
technical parameters of 5th generation fighters.

During the three-day visit, Antony would hold one-to-one
meetings with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov and
take part in talks at the Indo-Russian Inter-governmental
Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), the
apex body for co-ordination of ongoing defence projects.

The visit comes as several key Indo-Russia defence
projects including the delivery of aircraft carrier Gorshkov
and nuclear Akula-II class submarine are delayed.

The Russians are playing down the delays and hiccups,
saying that the situation has drastically changed over last
two years and the projects have been put on fast track.

However, no new defence agreements are expected to be
signed during the visit, except the classified protocol of the
9th session. But the two sides are expected to explore
possibilities of new joint ventures in advances weapon
systems.

Defence sources said that despite India's drive for
diversification of military acquisitions, Russia has remained
the source of its most sensitive defence technologies.


The recent launching of indigenous nuclear submarine INS
Arihant under one of India's most secretive Advanced
Technology Vessel (ATV) Project, lease of Akula-II class Nerpa
nuclear attack submarine, BrahMos cruise missile technology
and joint development of fifth generation fighter aircraft
are examples handed out by Russians as the most lucrative
projects.

"Unlike in the case of other partners, Russia has not
denied India any technology it wanted," defence sources here
say.

Antony, who under the austerity drive of the government
arrived on a regular flight, is to co-chair the ninth annual
session of the IRIGC-MTC.

After laying wreaths at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier
under the Kremlin wall Wednesday, Antony will begin the
official part of his visit, followed by a one to one meeting
with Serdyukov, with whom he would co-chair the IRIGC.

According to Ruslan Pukhov and Konstantin Makiyenko of
the independent think-tank CAST, unlike in case of serially
produced arms sale to other countries, Russia develops
tailor-made weapons platforms for the Indian armed forces to
meet their stringent requirements.

"This gives a fillip for the innovative development of
Russian defence industry, it is a win-win situation for both
the countries," Makiyenko said citing the example of Su-30MKI
multirole fighter developed for and with the IAF, which has
become Russia's hottest export item. PTI VS