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NEW DELHI, Nov 5 -- India and Russia signed a wide-ranging defence cooperation agreement on Friday, clearing the way for joint production of fighter planes and the sale of an aircraft-carrier to India, a Russian official said.
"The protocol includes cooperation in all fields of defence including aviation, missiles, navy," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov told a news conference after the signing of the document.
According to Klebanov, the agreements made in the protocol include:
- India buying an old aircraft-carrier from Russia. "We expect the agreement on purchase of Admiral Gorshkov (carrier) to be signed in the first quarter of 2000," he said. India's military currently operates one aircraft-carrier -- the British-made Viraat.
- Joint production of Su-30 fighter planes beginning next year. "It has been finalised. We believe the contract will be signed by the end of this year," Klebanov said.
- Russia leasing, and eventually selling, early warning airborne systems and strategic bombers to India. "Some of the models will be given on lease, others will be sold," he said.
The two sides also discussed licensed production of Kilo class submarines and overhaul of India's existing submarines.
"We also discussed joint production in missile technology and also naval missile technology," Klebanov said.
KASHMIR CONFLICT SHOWED CHINKS IN ARMOUR
The Indian government, which was re-elected to office last month, has said it is committed to rebuilding the armed forces after years of deep funding cuts.
Vital gaps in India's defences were exposed this year when hundreds of armed guerrillas crossed into India's side of Kashmir near the military control line with Pakistan between May and July and threatened a key supply road.
Klebanov said India and Russia were both faced with terrorism and understood each other's concerns.
But he said the talks were confined to conventional arms and did not cover nuclear weapons, although the two sides discussed cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
India carried out a series of nuclear tests last year. A draft nuclear doctrine the government has issued envisages a sophisticated nuclear arsenal.
"On the whole our discussions were very cordial. This time negotiations went very smoothly because the top leadership in both countries understands what is happening around the world including the problem of terrorism," Klebanov said.
The protocol on military-technical cooperation was signed by Russia's First Deputy Defence Minister N V Mikhailov and Indian Defence Secretary T. R. Prasad.