Russia To Share Critical Technologies With India In Stealth Jet Program

Russia has agreed to share critical technologies with India for joint production of a fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA).

Both the countries are ready with detailed work share agreement for joint production of the aircraft as part of the deal that would include production of over 100 fighters in India, The Economic Times reported last week.

The two nations are also expected to incorporate a new company by October for the production of Kamov Ka 226 light choppers, which would involve significant private sector participation.

Both projects have been accelerated ahead of Indo-Russian summit talks, held next month in a coastal state of India Goa that will be attended by President Vladimir Putin. 

The FGFA programme, particularly, will yield rich dividends to India due to the quantum of technology on offer. "From a preliminary document that was barely two dozen pages, we have agreed on a 650 page detailed plan that specifies exactly what all will be shared," an official said. 

Unlike in the past when a broad agreement would be signed on fighter deals like the Su 30 MKI contract, this time around Indian negotiators have gone deep into details of the joint production plan. 

The project got a boost last year from Defence Minister Manohar Parrika. The signing of the work share agreement is expected shortly, with India committing to invest $4 billion over the coming years to develop a tailor-made version of the fighter.

One major concerns of the India was the development of a new jet engine for the fighter and its weapons package. India has already spent $300 million in a preliminary design contract for the project with Russia that was completed in June 2013.