16.10.2009
Russia and India "managed to reach accord in many issues and clench some current matters of our upcoming 20-year Military & Technical Cooperation (MTC) Program beginning from 2011". That was said by India's defense minister Arakkaparambil Kurian Antony today at closing of 9th session of Russian-Indian intergovernmental MTC committee.
"Both parties recognized huge prospects for future cooperation in various areas, including joint research, design and producing of military systems and equipment. Intergovernmental Agreement on prolongation of MTC Program up to 2020 will be signed at Russian-Indian intergovernmental committee summit coming in Dec 2009", said Indian minister.
He added that "both sides confirmed conclusion of Intergovernmental Agreement on postsale service of Russian weaponry, which is going to be signed at oncoming summit".
According to Indian defense minister, during 9th session such important MTC projects were discussed as supersonic missiles
BrahMos, joint research of 5th generation fighter and multirole transport aircraft, modernization of
Su-30MKI aircrafts delivered to India and production of
T-90 tanks in India. "We will continue talks to find mutually beneficial variants of such projects as aircraft-carrying cruiser
Admiral Gorshkov".
Indian minister expressed hope that the sides could "settle all vital issues in short terms". "We wait impatiently for significant progress in talks on those projects. Our technical organizations and staff will continue coordinating in the named matters. I will monitor progress in realization of our vital projects myself", added Indian Minister of Defense.
He invited his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdiukov to the next session of Russian-Indian intergovernmental MTC committee which will be held in India, 2010. "We will welcome you in the same manner as you are doing here in Moscow", said Indian minister. Serdiukov thanked for the invitation.
Source:
