2024-07-14 00:08:52
Moscow: India and Russia are going to take a new leap in defense partnership. Both countries can manufacture Sukhoi-30 in Nashik, Maharashtra in their next joint defense project. Sputnik India has said on the basis of sources that discussions are going on for this project and mass production of Sukhoi-30 can start in India in the coming time. After the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia, the joint statement also said that both the countries have agreed to work towards the production, repair and maintenance of parts of weapons of Russian origin. After meeting India’s needs through joint production of weapons based on Russian technology, they will also be exported.
Sources told Sputnik India that talks are underway to start manufacturing Russian-origin fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plant in Nashik. Started in 1964 with Russian collaboration, the plant has been involved in the production and maintenance of the MiG-21 and later the Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft. The Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft may start being manufactured at this plant.
HAL has long experience in making Sukhoi
At present, the Indian Air Force has the largest number of Sukhoi-30 aircraft. In the agreement between India and Russia, a deal was made for 272 Sukhoi-30 aircraft, out of which a large number of aircraft were produced at the HAL plant. Former BrahMos chief Sudhir Kumar Mishra has said that Sukhoi-30 is a modern fighter aircraft, which will be used for the next two to three decades. Therefore, by manufacturing it domestically, not only domestic needs can be met, but export demand can also be met. This plant can also be used in future for the repair and maintenance of aircraft of countries with Russian origin aircraft.
After technology transfer, there is a demand for joint products made in India in many countries of the world. There is a possibility of exporting such joint defense products especially to Far East countries like Vietnam and Philippines as well as many countries in Africa and South America. Apart from Brahmos, many countries have shown interest in India-Russia joint products including many other Make in India defense products. Sudhir Kumar Mishra says that this can be a successful business model. The Indian defense industry will benefit in the process of making sub-systems first and then the complete system. Russia and India have been working together for a long time, so good results will come out in a short time. This model will help in the Make in India initiative.