Ukraine Overtakes Russia in Signing MoUs with Indian Companies

Ukraine signed 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Indian companies during the recently concluded DefExpo in India. Russia could manage to sign a single MoU with Bharat Electronics.

Ukraine’s state-run Ukroboronprom signed MoUs on joint development of military transport Aircraft ‘AN’ based on the needs of Indian Air Force with Reliance Defence. It also finalized the agreement on long-term cooperation to supply gas turbines, produced by UKROBORONPROM enterprise Gas Turbine Research And Production Complex “Zorya-Mashproekt,” on their further installation on Indian naval forces equipment.

Ukrainian delegation held eight talks with the Defence Minister of India and more than 30 leading Indian manufacturing companies of military and special purpose products. Among them are Reliance Defence Limited, Tata Power, Punj Lloyd and Larsen Turbo, Ukroboronprom said in a statement 31 March.

"SpetsTehnoEksport" prepared a number of projects for joint implementation with Indian partners. Most Indian partners are interested in joint projects in the field of aeronautics, production of radar systems and maritime surveillance, maritime and modernization of armored vehicles, air defense systems, aircraft, development of homing heads, and joint development of air-to-air missiles.

Russia signed their only MoU with BEL to implement projects aimed at the development of industrial cooperation between Russia and India, including the organization of joint production of military and dual-purpose.

Under the framework of this MoU, BEL and Rosoboroneexport will co-operate for the joint development of various sub-systems of major Defence projects under the Offset clause of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The industrial tie-up will cater to the requirements of all the three arms of the Indian Defence forces, as well as the civilian sector, BEL said in a statement on 29, March 2016.

Russia is also negotiating a long-term maintenance agreement with India’s Ministry of Defense to provide after-sales service for entire Indian fleet of Mi-17 helicopters.

According to the preliminary agreement, Russian Helicopters will provide repairs for the Mi-17 fleet and also supply spares throughout the entire life cycle of the rotorcraft. Repairs of helicopters operated in India will be performed by enterprises that are part of Russian Helicopters. The current contract life cycle is expected to be 3-5 years. A further extension, as well as an expansion of helicopter models covered by the after-sales support system is part of the plan and is being considered.

Russia is also in talks with Indian Hindustan Aeronautics to work with a number of companies in the manufacturing and supply chain of helicopters and spare parts. Russian Helicopters aims to finalize all discussions and configuration by this year end to move to the implementation phase of the contract.