ABU
DHABI: Russia will start initial deliveries of military helicopters to India in
2019, with assembly and manufacturing to follow in Asia's fastest growing
economy, the chief executive of state-owned manufacturer Russian Helicopters
said on Monday.
India and Russia signed an agreement in October
to jointly manufacture 200 of the KA-226T helicopters for the Indian Armed
Forces.
Both
countries have agreed to cooperate in energy and defence as India seeks to
modernise its armed forces and build a nuclear industry and sanctions-hit
Russia looks for investment and new markets.
"The joint venture is in process and the
first delivery will start in 2019. After-sales service will also be provided in
India," said Andrey Boginsky, who took over as CEO in January.
Some 60
helicopters will be delivered to India and the remaining 140 will be assembled
or manufactured in India, he said at the International Defence Exhibition in
Abu Dhabi.
The company has started production of the
advanced medium multirole Mi-171A2 helicopter, with four deliveries set for
Russia this year, he said.
China
has shown an interest in the Mi-171A2, he added, without elaborating.
Overall sales in 2017 are expected to grow at
least 15 percent as demand for civil helicopters increases.
"We expect to sell 220 helicopters this
year," he said compared to 190 sold in 2016. Military helicopters account
for two thirds of sales.
"There
is demand for civil helicopters and we plan to increase volumes," he said,
adding that a key market is Iran, where there is demand from the oil and gas
sector.-
Source :- Economic Times
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