BANGALORE /India/, February 14. /TASS/. Russia’s state arms seller Rosoboronexport is holding technical consultations with India on the production of advanced air defense systems, infantry fighting vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles on Indian soil, Company CEO Alexander Mikheyev told TASS at the Aero India 2023 international air show on Tuesday.

The consultations are focused on Pantsyr-S1 anti-aircraft missile/gun systems, Tor-M2KM surface-to-air missile launchers, Bumerang infantry fighting vehicles and drones, the chief executive specified.

"Rosoboronexport is holding technical consultations on this issue. The Pantsyr-S1 anti-aircraft missile/gun system and the Tor-M2KM surface-to-air missile system are on display at the Aero India 2023," Mikheyev said, responding to a question about progress in the plans on the production of these and other items in India under the memorandums signed with India’s BEML.

Eight memorandums on mutual understanding, including the document between Rosoboronexport and BEML on the joint production of Pantsyr-S1 and Tor-M2KM air defense systems, Bumerang infantry fighting vehicles, auxiliary power units for T-72 and T-90 tanks, were signed at the Aero India 2021 international air show.

Russia is also in talks with India on the production of an additional batch of Su-30MKI supersonic fighter jets on Indian soil, the Rosoboronexport chief told TASS at the Aero India 2023 air show.

"The Su-30MKI constitutes the backbone of India’s fighter aircraft. Presently, Rosoboronexport is in talks on the production of additional Su-30MKI aircraft on the territory of India," he said.

Su-30MKI fighter jets are the mainstay of India’s frontline aviation and the Indian Air Force operates about 270 such aircraft.

Russia offers to supply deck-based fighters for India’s aircraft carrier

Russia has handed India an offer to supply an additional batch of deck-based MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB fighter jets for India’s Vikrant aircraft carrier, the Rosoboronexport chief told TASS.

"The Russian side has handed over an offer to India to supply an additional batch of MiG-29K/MiG-29KUB jets with expanded capabilities of onboard systems and armaments, including those of Indian make," the chief executive said, responding to a question about the aircraft for India’s new aircraft carrier Vikrant.

The Russian-made MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB multirole fighters are part of an air wing of fighter aircraft aboard India’s indigenous Vikrant aircraft carrier. The carrier’s air wing is set to eventually operate indigenous naval aircraft based on India’s Tejas fighter. In addition, India intends to purchase Western-made deck-based aircraft: New Delhi is currently choosing between Rafale aircraft offered by the French firm Dassault Aviation and F-18 jets produced by the US-based Boeing Company.

The 14th Aero India international air show is running at Yelahanka Air Force base in Bangalore in southern India on February 13-17. The India air show is held once every two years. Russia is an active participant in the Indian air shows and features over 200 military products this year.