Russia aims to deliver 200 Kamov 226T or Ka-226T military choppers to India within nine years, even as the commercial contract for the same is expected to be signed early next year.
“We are in the final stage of signing the contract with the Ministry of Defence. We hope that the final clauses of the contract will be determined by the middle of December and the contract will be signed in the first quarter of 2018,” Andrey Boginsky, CEO, Russian Helicopters, said here.
According to the firm, the joint venture between Russian Helicopters, which is part of Rostec Corporation, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), for co-development and co-production of the Ka-226T multi-role military choppers, will be able to complete the delivery in nine years.
“From the Russian side, we have done all the necessary work. We are waiting for the Indian Defence Ministry. In my opinion, we are in the final stages. It is unrealistic to believe that the contract will be signed this year,” Boginsky told BusinessLine.
The inter-governmental agreement (IGA) was signed in 2015 during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Moscow. Thereafter, the joint venture was registered this year around June between Russian Helicopters and HAL. According to the original plan, the commercial contract was expected to be signed in November-December this year. “Russian Helicopters prepared all the documentation for its part. All the major issues have already been agreed upon. The issue lies in the procedures to be taken by the Indian side within the framework of the legislation,” Boginsky added.
Under the programme, India will be procuring 60 light utility helicopters in flyaway condition that will be produced in the Ulan-Ude plant of Russian Helicopters, while 40 will be assembled in the proposed plant set up by the joint venture, while the remaining 100 will be completely made in India.
According to sources, HAL has already begun construction of a new manufacturing production plant that will also produce the Kamovs.
HAL will have stake of 50.5 per cent in the joint venture, while Russian Helicopters will hold 49.5 per cent of the capital. However, the Russians will be responsible for helicopter production localisation, except the components that will be imported from an OEM, stated Dmitry Shvets, Programme Director of Ka-226T helicopter, Russian Helicopters.
Shvets said localisation will be done in four stages. Additionally, the joint venture will create repair and maintenance facilities within five years and major overhaul facilities in India within seven years after the delivery of the first batch of helicopters.
(The writer is in Russia at the invitation of Russian Helicopters)
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