BANGALORE, February 17. /TASS/. Russia presented about 200 samples of weapons and military equipment at the 14th international aerospace show Aero-India 2023 in Bangalore. Among the new products was a whole family of air defense systems from the Almaz-Antey concern, as well as fighters and helicopters displayed by Rosoboronexport. India demonstrated its new light multi-role fighter Tejas, while the US representatives showed fifth-generation F-35 fighters.
This year’s event lasted five days (February 13-17). Three were reserved for specialists and the media, and two for the general public. The flight program was opened by the Su-30MKI and MiG-29UPG fighters, constituting the backbone of the country's Air Force.
The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of the state corporation Rostec) said the Su-30MKI, in particular, were produced under a license in India. Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev told TASS that Russia was in talks on the production of an additional number of these supersonic fighters in India.
The director of the federal service for military-technical cooperation (FSVTS), Dmitry Shugayev, told TASS that the total export of Russian military products to India over the past 5 years had exceeded $13 billion. New Delhi remained Russia's partner in the field of military-technical cooperation, despite unprecedented pressure from Western countries. "In defiance of the sanctions, Russia fulfills all obligations under the current contracts and offers new areas and projects of cooperation in the military-technical sphere," he said.
The current bilateral program for cooperation in the defense sphere extending over 2021-2031 includes the implementation of more than 200 joint projects, one of the latest ones being the supply of S-400 Triumph long-range anti-aircraft missile systems.
According to Boris Obnosov, the CEO of the Tactical Missile Corporation, Russia and India should continue to develop military-technical partnership. "I believe that India is our reliable partner, tested over years, even decades, which is why we came here for this exhibition. Therefore, I believe that the prospects are very good, we need to develop partnerships," he told TASS on the sidelines of the show. The corporation also emphasized that it was striving to become an active partner in the Make in India program, both in the field of creating new types of high-precision weapons and arranging for post-sales services.
Russia as a major exporter
The Russian side became an active participant of the exhibition. In particular, it presented the fifth generation Su-57E fighter, the Ka-226T light helicopter and the Il-76MD-90A(E) military transport aircraft, as well as the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun system and the S-400 air defense system. Also, as part of the exposition, at the stand of the Almaz-Antey concern the latest Vityaz air defense system and the Tor line of anti-aircraft missile systems, in particular, Tor-M2KM (modular configuration) were demonstrated.
According to the head of Rosoboronexport, Russia is conducting technical consultations with India on the production of the Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, Tor-M2KM air defense systems, Boomerang infantry fighting vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He added that Russia had submitted its proposals to India for the supply of an additional batch of MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB shipborne fighters. The supply of S-400 air defense systems is being carried out in accordance with the terms specified in the contract.
Also, Rosoboronexport is discussing with private Indian enterprises the issue of modernizing heavy military transport aircraft Il-76, while Indian partners are interested in Russia’s upgraded military transport aircraft Il-76MD-90A.
FSVTS Deputy CEO Vladimir Drozhzhov noted that negotiations were currently underway on the supply of assembly kits for the licensed production of Su-30MKI aircraft in India. A contract is expected to be signed for the production of Igla-S MANPADS. Russia is looking for an invitation from Indian partners to negotiations for the purchase of Ka-31 helicopters, which had to be interrupted due to the pandemic and resumed in February 2022. The parties agreed that the whole batch of helicopters would cost $520 million.
India is preparing to become a major arms producer
The main goal of the exhibition for India was to demonstrate its capabilities in transforming it from a major arms buyer into a manufacturer and exporter of defense products. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the opening of the event, India had become a reliable partner in the field of defense for many countries of the world, including those that overtake India in terms of development of the defense sector. Modi noted that the exhibition reflected India's new approach, indicating the scale of the Indian defense industry.
As Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, in turn, told reporters during the air show, about 250 memorandums of understanding were signed on the sidelines of Aero-India 2023, including technology transfer deals with the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and various companies.
Indian pavilion and other exhibitors
The centerpiece of the Indian pavilion was the Tejas light multirole fighter, the only Indian-designed combat aircraft that is mass-produced domestically.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, an Indian aircraft manufacturing company, also presented mockups of the HLFT-42 trainer aircraft and models of advanced fighters, which are currently at various stages of development: the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) being created as part of the development of a fifth-generation fighter and a Twin-Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), which should form the basis of the aviation group of India’s aircraft carriers. The Indian company Garuda Aerospace introduced the latest stealth tactical drone Vajra.
During the air show, it was announced that about 200 Indian-designed helicopters would soon enter service with the country's ground forces - these are 95 Prachant light helicopters and 110 multifunctional Light Utility Helicopters (LUH).