JOIN USThe joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and two Russian firms to build 140 Kamov-226T helicopters in India will take off within the next few months, Deputy Director of Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (MTC) of Russia, V N Drozhzhov, said.
Briefing mediapersons at Aero India 2017 here, the top Russian official supervising the MTC noted that there are two aspects to the intergovernmental agreement signed between the two countries to set of the joint venture (JV). “As per the agreement, Russia will supply 60 Kamov-226T helicopters before starting the JV to make the light multirole helicopter in India,” he said.
When asked for a specific timeline, he said the work needs to be done from both sides before the JV becomes reality. “The russian companies --- Rosoboronexport and Russian Helicopters --- have already submitted the details of the venture to the government. We hope to get the approval very soon,” he said.
Asked about Russian participation in Make in India, he said his country's collaboration with Indian companies dates back to decades. “Apart from the JV on KA226, there is the licenced production of Sukhoi-30 and the agreement regarding T90 tanks,” he added.
On the programme to upgrade Sukhoi 30MKI aircraft, he said Russia has considered the Indian needs and is working on materials required.