(a) whether any agreement has been signed between the representatives of India and
Russia in the meeting of Joint Military Commission held recently regarding joint manufacture
and sale of fighter aircraft under the Defence Projects;
(b) if so, the details of negotiations and projects in this regard; and
(c) the details of defence equipments proposed to be acquired in future?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) & (b): The Government of India entered into an agreement with the Russian Government
on 18th October, 2007 for the development and production of a Fifth Generation Fighter
Aircraft. The agreement envisages joint production, joint marketing to third countries,
sales, after sale support and disposal of aircraft after completion of their life-cycle.
On 21st December, 2010, a Preliminary Design (PD) contract was signed by Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) with M/s Rosoboronexport of Russia inter-alia, to finalise the road map
for the Research and Design (R&D) phase of the Project, during which detailed design
specifications and their costs will be determined.
(c) Acquisition of defence equipment/platforms through indigenous and foreign sources is
a continuous process undertaken in accordance with the provisions laid down in the Defence
Procurement Procedure, in order to keep the Armed Forces of the country in a state of readiness
to meet any eventuality.