MOSCOW. Feb 3 (Interfax) - Expanding joint programs on design and production of weaponry and military equipment will be one of the main topics of the talks between Rosoboronexport delegation and Indian partners during the DEFEXPO India international exhibition of ground and naval arms, which will be held in Delhi on February 6-9, Rosoboronexport press office said.
"This is India's biggest arms exhibition and therefore Russia will be present here on a large scale. Clearly, we're planning to promote a large number of army and navy equipment, air defense systems and aircraft models at DEFEXPO India. Moreover, in almost all cases the upcoming talks are directly related to setting up joint ventures, establishing licensed production, and transfers of technology - precisely such cooperation is the mainstream of our bilateral relations," the press office quoted Rosoboronexport First Deputy General Director Ivan Goncharenko, who heads the delegation at the exhibition, as saying in a statement obtained by Interfax-AVN on Monday.
Rosoboronexport will negotiate with Indian partners on current and future projects, in particular upgrading equipment previously delivered, including the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, T-72 and the T-90S tanks, the document said.
"The Company expects to discuss the progress of the tender to supply self-propelled artillery systems. Among its contenders is the Russian upgraded Msta-S 155mm self-propelled howitzer, which is undergoing trials in India. The howitzer's chassis has a high level of commonality for components and units with the chassis of the T-90S MBT, whose licensed production has already been mastered at India's Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi," the statement said.
The current work on establishing a Russian-Indian joint venture to manufacture rocket projectiles for the Smerch multiple launch rocket system can be considered a new promising area for mutually beneficial cooperation, the document said.
According to Rosoboronexport's information, foreign experts are expected to show interest at DEFEXPO India in the modernized T-90S MBT, T-90S-based engineer vehicles, BMPT-72 tank support combat vehicle, Sprut SD self-propelled anti-tank gun, tactical automated command and control system as well as Russian air defense weapons of all classes. Among the latter are the Pantsir-S1, Tor-M2KM, Tunguska-M1, and Igla-S, which Rosoboronexport is offering to the Indian Army's tenders.
"After-sales service of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya will be among the naval issues to be discussed at DEFEXPO India. In addition, Rosoboronexport is ready to continue consultations to promote the diesel-electric Amur-1650 submarines within the upcoming tender for design and construction of the Project 75I submarines for the Indian Navy, as well as to supply an additional series of Project 11356 frigates. Russian patrol and landing craft, ship weapon systems, Bal-E coastal missile system, and a variety of radar and sonar coastal zone surveillance systems have also good prospects in the Indian market," the press office said.
"In the aviation segment, of interest are the Ka-226T light utility helicopter, which is a strong contender to supply 197 reconnaissance & surveillance helicopters, and the Be-200 multipurpose amphibious aircraft, which offers a number of advantages over the competitors within the upcoming Indian Navy's tender to purchase amphibians for reconnaissance and search & rescue operations and transport service between the island territories," the statement said.