09-10-2005, 04:38 AM
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U.S., Russia demonstrate prowess to step up defence ties with India
Special Correspondent
Russians seek to cement past ties; Americans focus on futuristic missile systems
# India should hold strategic discussions: Kohler
# Classified presentation on Patriot system
# Russian focus on Navy
NEW DELHI: Russia and the United States on Friday demonstrated their military capabilities to senior Defence Ministry officials here in an attempt to enlarge defence cooperation with India at a time when it is on a modernisation drive. While the Russians sought to cement their past relationship with the Indian defence establishment, offering after-sales support under one roof, the Americans gave presentations on futuristic missile defence systems and clarified misgivings about F-16 and F-18 fighter jets.
On his third visit to the country in less than a year, U.S. Defence Security Agency (DSA) director Jeffrey Kohler said India should conduct an internal strategic discussion on missile defence before deciding what suited its needs. Gen. Kohler's team made a classified presentation on the Patriot missile defence system and discussed the various elements of the U.S. concept.
"Only to close friends"
Asked about Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee's statement that India did not need imported missile defence systems, Gen. Kohler said the U.S.' intention was not to sell but to get Indian decision-makers acquainted with the concept in general as part of the understanding reached in the Next Steps on Strategic Partnership (NSSP) agreement the two countries signed. The official said the U.S. had made classified presentations of this nature only to treaty allies and a few close friends.
The Indian Air Force was given a classified presentation on the capabilities of F-16 and F-18. India plans to buy 126 multirole fighter planes and two American companies are among those in the race for one of the world's biggest orders of this kind.
The visiting team discussed with naval officials acquisition of maritime spy planes. The DSA plans to constitute a group to further interact with the Navy on its plans to develop long-range capabilities. The American delegation also interacted with Defence Ministry officials on defence programmes.
In comparison, the Russian interactions were low-key but more purposeful. The main focus area was the Navy, nearly 70 per cent of whose assets are of Russian or Soviet origin. The team acquainted the officials with a new company, Rosoboronservice, formed by seven Russian defence manufacturers and a military trading giant, Rosoboronexport.
The company is looking at a Rs. 1,000-crore annual opportunity in repairs to components, spare parts and auxiliary equipment aboard Indian naval ships.
U.S., Russia demonstrate prowess to step up defence ties with India
Special Correspondent
Russians seek to cement past ties; Americans focus on futuristic missile systems
# India should hold strategic discussions: Kohler
# Classified presentation on Patriot system
# Russian focus on Navy
NEW DELHI: Russia and the United States on Friday demonstrated their military capabilities to senior Defence Ministry officials here in an attempt to enlarge defence cooperation with India at a time when it is on a modernisation drive. While the Russians sought to cement their past relationship with the Indian defence establishment, offering after-sales support under one roof, the Americans gave presentations on futuristic missile defence systems and clarified misgivings about F-16 and F-18 fighter jets.
On his third visit to the country in less than a year, U.S. Defence Security Agency (DSA) director Jeffrey Kohler said India should conduct an internal strategic discussion on missile defence before deciding what suited its needs. Gen. Kohler's team made a classified presentation on the Patriot missile defence system and discussed the various elements of the U.S. concept.
"Only to close friends"
Asked about Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee's statement that India did not need imported missile defence systems, Gen. Kohler said the U.S.' intention was not to sell but to get Indian decision-makers acquainted with the concept in general as part of the understanding reached in the Next Steps on Strategic Partnership (NSSP) agreement the two countries signed. The official said the U.S. had made classified presentations of this nature only to treaty allies and a few close friends.
The Indian Air Force was given a classified presentation on the capabilities of F-16 and F-18. India plans to buy 126 multirole fighter planes and two American companies are among those in the race for one of the world's biggest orders of this kind.
The visiting team discussed with naval officials acquisition of maritime spy planes. The DSA plans to constitute a group to further interact with the Navy on its plans to develop long-range capabilities. The American delegation also interacted with Defence Ministry officials on defence programmes.
In comparison, the Russian interactions were low-key but more purposeful. The main focus area was the Navy, nearly 70 per cent of whose assets are of Russian or Soviet origin. The team acquainted the officials with a new company, Rosoboronservice, formed by seven Russian defence manufacturers and a military trading giant, Rosoboronexport.
The company is looking at a Rs. 1,000-crore annual opportunity in repairs to components, spare parts and auxiliary equipment aboard Indian naval ships.