India and Russia agree to develop, produce fifth generation fighter aircraft

India and Russia have signed a intergovernmental agreement for the joint development and joint production of a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) s. The agreement was signed by the Secretary Defence Production Mr KP Singh and Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Foreign Military Co-operation Mr. Vyacheslav Dzirkaln in the presence of the Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony and his Russian counterpart Mr. Anatoly Serdyukov in Moscow today. The watershed agreement was signed at the conclusion of the Seventh Meeting of the India- Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Military and Technical Co-operation.

Mr Antony and Mr Serdyukov also signed a Protocol which envisages a 'new strategic relationship' based on greater interaction at various operational levels.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the signing ceremony, Mr Antony said the two countries have agreed to strengthen and expand relations in all areas especially in the areas of joint exercises and greater co-operation in the field of Research and Development. "Now the frequency and level of exercises will be higher", Mr. Antony said. He said talkswith Russia have started to extend the Military Co-operation Agreement beyond 2010. The pact had been signed during the Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin's visit to India in 2000.

The Defence Minister described the Agreement on FGFA as a 'major landmark' and he hoped that the two countries would soon sign an Intergovernmental Agreement on co-development and co-production of a Multi-Role Transport Aircraft.

Mr. Antony expressed satisfaction at the outcome of discussions on other important projectsincluding the supply and licensed production of T-90 tanks, SU-30 MKI aircraft and other strategic issues. He admitted that there has been a delay in the delivery of the repaired and refurbished aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov along with MiG-29-K aircraft and said it was decided that some more studies by technical groups would be done to go through the details.

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