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Russia is scheduled to reclaim its position as the number one defence supplier to India, with the upcoming contract of around $1.2 billion for 29 more MiG-29K fighter jets for Indian Navy. The latest contract has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Indian Prime Minister.
A Russian delegation is expected to visit India soon to formalise the contract and ink the deal for the MiG-29 K fighters. The Indian Defence Ministry is also seeking CCS approval for the fresh contract for aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov’s refit. The final agreement for the aircraft carrier is slightly over $2.3 billion. The 29 new MiG-29Ks will be in addition to the 16 jets already contracted in the initial Gorshkov package deal.
As for the MiG-29 K fighters, they will be equipped with eight types of air-to-air missiles, including extended range BVR (beyond visual range) missiles and 25 air-to-surface weapons for land-attack missions. While 12 of the first 16 fighters will be the single-seat ‘K’ variants, the other four will be twin-seater ‘KUB’ trainer versions. Similarly, four of the next 29 jets will be ‘KUB’ trainer versions. The MiG-29Ks will operate from the 44,570-tonne Gorshkov (rechristened INS Vikramaditya), as well as the 40,000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier being built at Cochin Shipyard, expected to roll out by 2014-2015.
Russia has been actively involved in defence projects for the Indian armed forces since the 1960s. Some of the current projects include Admiral Gorshkov, for about $2.3 billion, which will be inducted in 2013. Then there is the major deal for 230 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters to the tune $8.5 billion. Over 105 are already inducted and India is likely to order another 50 jets.
Russia has also currently engaged its shipyards in the full-scale construction of three more KRIVAK class stealth frigates, to be armed with the anti-ship version of BrahMos cruise missiles for the Indian Navy. According to Russian sources, three new warships would be delivered to India in by 2012. The three Project 1135.6 modified Krivak III class (Talwar class) guided missile frigates, are being built for the Indian Navy under a $1.6 billion contract signed with Russia in July 2006. The Talwar Class is Indo-Russian joint production, and the ships of this class have a number of systems of Indian origin and manufacture, including their anti-submarine sensor (sonar) suite and complete communication equipment.
India and Russia also signed a deal last year worth $1.2 billion, in which India is to procure an additional 347 T-90 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) from Russia and initiate the process of license production of another 1000 T-90 S tanks in India. The license production of the T-90 tanks is scheduled to be undertaken by the state-owned Ordnance Factory Board.
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