BANGALORE /India/, February 15. /TASS/. There is no conflict of interest between Russia and India on the joint production program of Ka-226T light helicopters on behalf of the Asian republic, Chairman and Managing Director of the state aircraft construction company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) C. B. Ananthakrishnan told a press conference at the Aero India 2023 international exhibition in Bangalore.
"If the program comes through, we are ready to start work," he was quoted as saying in a special daily publication of the Geopolitics magazine devoted to the expo, when commenting on statements that the Indo-Russian Ka-226T program had been frozen.
Earlier, Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Vladimir Drozhzhov told TASS on the sidelines of the Aero India 2023 exhibition that the Indo-Russian talks on production of the Ka-226T helicopter had been almost frozen as New Delhi was dissatisfied with the level of localization proposed by the joint venture. Moscow’s Indian partners have been provided with revised proposals for the localization of helicopter production in India, which calls for a localization level of 70%.
Additionally, Indian military officials are also mulling the purchase of already assembled helicopters from Russia, Drozhzhov said, adding that the Indian side was expected to submit its decision on that issue.
The Ka-226T manufacturing workshop is located at HAL’s helicopter facility in the city of Tumakuru in the Indian state of Karnataka. Originally it was suggested that the plant supply 200 such helicopters, according to Geopolitics.
Bangalore is hosting the 14th Aero India 2023 international air show on 13-17 February. Russia has traditionally been an active participant in the air show, which is held once every two years. This year’s event will showcase more than 200 different products manufactured by the Russian defense industry.