Defence Deals During PM Modi’s Russia Visit Will Send Shock Waves To China

PM Narendra Modi with Vladimir Putin At BRICS Meet 
In Antalya, Turkey (file)

Shailesh Kumar

New Delhi

The clinching defence deals with Russia during prime minister, Narendra Modi’s visit beginning 23^rd December will certainly sent shock waves to China. To enhance national security and boost Make In India programme, PM Modi is expected to sign deals for S-400 Triumf missles, joint production of Kamov 226 T multi utility helicopters, Fifth Generation Fighter Jet T-50 Pak-fa, Mi-17V helicopters, setting up of a production facility for sukhoi -30 mki spare parts besides setting up of 6 civil nuclear reactors in Andhra Pradesh. India’s defence production industry has a substantial Russian component and it is likely to grow further during PM’s visit. Modi Government’s focus is on “Make In India” in defence sector. “The aim of the new policy (DPP) is to have 40 percent of defence procurement under the ‘Make in India’ initiative from the current 30 percent, and raising it to 70 percent indigenisation within the next five years”, Manohar Parrikar, defence minister, said during launch of Make In India Defence Portal on Monday.  Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses

Lets see the potential defence deals on cards one by one:

Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia met 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8th December in Delhi

S-400 triumf missiles- India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved buying of 5 firing units of S-400 Triumf missiles Air Defence System. The deal is estimated to be around Rs. 40,000 crores. Triumf umbrella will protect India’s strategic assets from Chinese and Paksitan missiles, fighter aircrafts or stealth drones. India rejoices the deal while China is worried. China in April has bought 6 battalions of Russian S-400 triumf missiles. Each battalion will have 6 transport erector launch vehicles. So China’s air defence capability would no more be unique. China would be having the same missile shield as India will have. In wartime, the S-400 could even support Indian airstrikes by knocking out enemy fighters flying above their own bases and cities.

According to defence experts, S-400 triumf air missile system would be integrated with Israeli Green Pine Radar system. Whereas, China would complements it existing air defence capabilities consisting of HQ-9 SAM and S-300 missile. Out of S-400 triumf missile, 40N6 missiles would give India an edge for killing enemy aircrafts, drones or missiles from a range of 400 kilometers.  91N6E missile can locate and track stealth aircraft at standoff 100km+ distances. The smaller 250 km-ranged 48N6 and 120km-range 9M96E2 missiles are also equally lethal against fighters, bombers, early warning and electronic warfare aircraft, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.

Kamov 226 T Multi Utility Helicopters:  

Prime Minister Modi would sign another deal for the production of Kamov 226 T multirole utility helicopter under Make In India program. Kamov 226 T is a small two engine multirole reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter for Indian Army and Air Force. Procurement of Kamov 226 T Sergei would sent chill waves to China as the helicopter can operate on both Pakistan and China fronts from plus 50 degree centigrade to minus 50 degree temperature Once introduced, the co-axial Ka-226T light helicopter will be used by the Indian forces for roles such as armed reconnaissance, the direction of artillery fire, insertion of quick reaction teams for special missions, plus forward air control and casualty evacuation. It can also supply food and war stores in dangerous terrains like Siachen and Arunachal Pradesh.

Russian Delegation led by Dmitry Rogozin,
Deputy Prime Minister of Russia in talks with PM Modi (file)

Fifth Generation Fighter Jet

Following the success of the BrahMos project, Russia and India in 2007 started work on developing a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Development of FGFA which earlier called Pak Fa T-50 is now complete. The new Perspective multirole Fighter (PMF) is equipped with an advanced defense system that can neutralize an enemy plane’s stealth capability. The FGFA, which is expected to be armed with weapons of Indian origin, will fly at a speed of 2,300 kilometers per hour and will have a range of 3,800 kilometers. Since both the countries have developed the aircraft together, it was easier for India to access the technology of a fifth generation fighter jet. Acquiring FGFA will be a big step forward. India will be one of the few countries in the world with its own fifth-generation fighter. Even weapon system integrated on FGFA will be Indian. China has also developed a fifth generation fighter jet J-20 but it can not match FGFA. It is however, yet to see if PM Narendra Modi would sign a deal to procure FGFA. A source in Indian Air Force on condition of anonymity has said that there has to be four features namely, stealth, super-cruise, smart display and sensor fusion in order to an aircraft categorized as fifth generation. Sensor fusion element is yet to be integrated in the FGFA.  

Mi-17 V Helicopters

India will buy 48 more Mi-17V5 helicopters from Russia and a deal during PM Modi’s Russia visit would be signed. India already operates 139 Mi-17V5 helicopters. Mi-17 V can also operate on both fronts. Mi-17V helicopter is the backbone of Indian Air Force.

Sukhoi 30mki Spare Production Factory

PM Modi and Putin may sign a deal to set up a factory in India to produce spares under Make In India programme.

Nuclear Deal

India and Russia are to sign a deal to set up 6 civil nuclear reactors of 1200 mega watt each in Andhra Pradesh. Indian Government has already provided land to build structures. Russia is already building 6 reactors in Tamil Nadu.

Fingers are crossed if India and Russia sign a deal for another nuclear submarine. If deal happens under Make In India programme, then it would offer a chance to Indian engineers to access and study the latest technology being used in building SSNs. Modi Government had earlier cleared Rs 100000 crore for building six nuclear powered attack submarines.

Russia and India may also strengthen relations to fight terror particularly ISIS in Af-Pak region.

Now tell the defence deals on cards during PM Modi’s Russia visit will send chill through Chinese spine or not?