Article Posted on : - Sep 08, 2011

The two countries are working on several important defence projects, including the co-development and joint production of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (in pic) and a multi-role transport aircraft.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Defence Minister A K Antony will visit Moscow next month to further strengthen and expand military ties between India and Russia.

Preparations have already started at high-level for the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation to be held in the first week of October, Ministry officials said.

Secretary (Defence Production) Shekhar Agarwal is already in Moscow and Defence Secretary will be going there next month for preparing the ground for the institutionalised defence meeting between the two countries, they said.

During the meeting with his Russian counterpart, Antony is expected to discuss all the issues in their military ties and also discuss possible future partnerships.

India and Russia share a strong military relationship which has been occasionally marred by issues such as the increase in price of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov and delays in delivery of equipment ordered by New Delhi.

The two sides are working on several important defence projects, including the co-development and joint production of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and a multi-role transport aircraft.

Russia, even after India’s decision to diversify its military hardware procurement base, remains the largest supplier of weapons to New Delhi.

The two countries have also worked together to coproduce world’s only and fastest supersonic cruise missile BRAHMOS.