By IANS,
New Delhi : An India-Russia working group Tuesday resolved the issues related to the delivery of various products required for the indigenous production of T-90 main battle tanks.
“The main area of concern of our side was the product support required for indigenous production of T-90 tanks. The main issues were related to the delivery of ventilation, torsion bar, gun barrels and anti aircraft gun mounts,” said a defence official here, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The discussions figured during the eighth meeting here of the India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission’s working group on “ship building, aviation and land systems”.
Additional Secretary (defence production) Ajoy Acharya and Director of Department for Defence Industry Complex Development of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Karavaev Igor Evgeniyevich presided over the meeting.
“The Russian side agreed that the delivery schedule mutually accepted in the sub group meeting of land systems in June 2008 will be maintained. The Indian side stressed the urgent requirement of specification of T-90 gun barrels. The Russian side agreed to deliver the document by December 2008,” the official said.
Delays in the manufacturing of the indigenous Arjun main battle tank and Pakistan’s decision to purchase the T-80 from Ukraine prompted India to order 310 T-90s in 2001. Of these, 186 were assembled from kits at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, near Chennai.
An agreement was also signed for the licensed production of another 1,000 T-90s. This, however, is yet to commence due to Russia’s reluctance to transfer technology, prompting India to purchase another 300 tanks from Russia last year.
“The working group also discussed about MRTA (multi-role transport aircraft), that will be jointly developed by India and Russia. Another meeting to further discuss the modalities would take place next month,” the official added.
An Inter Governmental Agreement for the co-development of MRTA was concluded during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia in November 2007.
“Besides, it was decided at the working group that the draft general agreement on the co-development of fifth generation fighter aircraft will be prepared by the Russian side and will be handed over to the Indian side by the end of next month,” said the official.