Jan. 19 – Russia is set to become India’s top supplier of arms when a pending US$1.2 billion defense deal is signed for 29 MiG-29K fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
Russia is the world’s arms exporters followed by Israel and United States. Last December, it signed a 10-year military deal with India for weapons development, aircraft and maintenance contracts totaling more than US$5 billion.
Further negotiations on the India-Russia deal is expected to happen after Indian Republic day before awaiting final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Indian naval officers said in a statement that India will also lease the new Nerpa nuclear-powered submarine from Russia for 2010. ABCLive confirms that the new MiG-29K fighter jets will be stationed at Russian class aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov.
I’m sure the Indian Navy can expect the fighters to be delivered late and at a cost geater than $ 1.2 billion.
The Russians seem to know exactly what to say and do to both get the deal and then to get extra payment (“software upgrades” or something)…