Military pact with Russia will boost defence capability: India
By Sarwar Kashani, IANSTuesday, December 8, 2009
MOSCOW - India Tuesday said the 10-year military agreement with Russia on technical cooperation will enhance the operational capability of its defence forces.
“The agreement will help enhance operational capability of Indian defence forces in the next decade by providing various systems,” India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrapped up his three day visit to Russia.
Manmohan Singh had “fruitful and successful” talks with Russian leaders, including Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
The 10-year military pact was among the three defence agreements signed between India and Russia after the annual summit talks between Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. It provides for acquisition, licensed production, upgrades and modernisation of defence equipment as well as the development of new and advanced weapon systems, Rao said.
The agreement will also facilitate “capacity development” of the Indian defence industry, she said.
The agreement, which ensures after-sales support for Russian arms and military, will ensure timely and adequate supply of spares and services to maintain readiness of Russian imported military equipment to India, she said.
