Russia ready to sell India fighters, build reactors
By Sumeet Chatterjee
BANGALORE, India (Reuters) - Russia will pitch its MiG-35 combat jet for an Indian tender for 126 fighter aircraft, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Tuesday, adding that Moscow was willing to boost nuclear cooperation.
"The Russian Federation is going to actively participate in the tender for supply of 126 light fighters," Ivanov told reporters in Bangalore.
Ivanov, on a three-day visit to India ahead of a trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week, said Moscow would be sending its cutting-edge MiG-35 fighter to an international air show in Bangalore next month.
He also confirmed reports Moscow was ready to construct four new nuclear reactors in India, in addition to two already agreed.
India and Russia have close military and diplomatic ties, and Moscow is the biggest supplier of hardware to the Indian military, including combat jets, submarines, transport aircraft and tanks.
India's air force, one of the biggest in the world, plans to buy 126 new fighters to upgrade its combat fleet which includes ageing Russian MiG-21s and British Jaguars.
This would be one of the biggest orders by any air force for combat jets in recent years.
The MiG-35 has the frame of an earlier Russian fighter, the MiG-29, but is more agile and has better avionics as well as an increased flying range.
"These aircraft are equipped with superb engines and can easily be manufactured and maintained in India," Ivanov said.
Sweden and India's new ally, the United States, are also keen to meet the Indian Air Force's demand for new fighters.
The Americans are pushing their F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters built by Boeing Co. as well as their F-16s. The Swedes are promoting their JAS-39 Gripen, built by Saab, media reports say.
The French are keen to sell Dassault's Rafale fighter.
India and Russia are also expected this week to sign a cooperation agreement for making multipurpose transport aircraft, Ivanov said.
NUCLEAR HELP
The minister said it was possible that Russia could construct new reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear power station in Tamil Nadu.
"Russia stands ready not only to construct four new reactors in Kudankulam but also to perform other activities in the Indian market," said Ivanov.
"I can't exclude that in the course of the Indo-Russian summit meeting that will be carried out in a couple of days (that) there could be some documents signed with respect to this issue."
India, Asia's fourth-largest economy, is eager to secure oil, gas and power supplies as energy consumption soars. Moscow is seeking to boost arms, energy and nuclear sales to India.
BANGALORE, India (Reuters) - Russia will pitch its MiG-35 combat jet for an Indian tender for 126 fighter aircraft, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Tuesday, adding that Moscow was willing to boost nuclear cooperation.
"The Russian Federation is going to actively participate in the tender for supply of 126 light fighters," Ivanov told reporters in Bangalore.
Ivanov, on a three-day visit to India ahead of a trip by Russian President Vladimir Putin later this week, said Moscow would be sending its cutting-edge MiG-35 fighter to an international air show in Bangalore next month.
He also confirmed reports Moscow was ready to construct four new nuclear reactors in India, in addition to two already agreed.
India and Russia have close military and diplomatic ties, and Moscow is the biggest supplier of hardware to the Indian military, including combat jets, submarines, transport aircraft and tanks.
India's air force, one of the biggest in the world, plans to buy 126 new fighters to upgrade its combat fleet which includes ageing Russian MiG-21s and British Jaguars.
This would be one of the biggest orders by any air force for combat jets in recent years.
The MiG-35 has the frame of an earlier Russian fighter, the MiG-29, but is more agile and has better avionics as well as an increased flying range.
"These aircraft are equipped with superb engines and can easily be manufactured and maintained in India," Ivanov said.
Sweden and India's new ally, the United States, are also keen to meet the Indian Air Force's demand for new fighters.
The Americans are pushing their F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters built by Boeing Co. as well as their F-16s. The Swedes are promoting their JAS-39 Gripen, built by Saab, media reports say.
The French are keen to sell Dassault's Rafale fighter.
India and Russia are also expected this week to sign a cooperation agreement for making multipurpose transport aircraft, Ivanov said.
NUCLEAR HELP
The minister said it was possible that Russia could construct new reactors at the Kudankulam nuclear power station in Tamil Nadu.
"Russia stands ready not only to construct four new reactors in Kudankulam but also to perform other activities in the Indian market," said Ivanov.
"I can't exclude that in the course of the Indo-Russian summit meeting that will be carried out in a couple of days (that) there could be some documents signed with respect to this issue."
India, Asia's fourth-largest economy, is eager to secure oil, gas and power supplies as energy consumption soars. Moscow is seeking to boost arms, energy and nuclear sales to India.
Source : Reuters
posted by anandsonline @ Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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