We are telling you about the results of the largest international aerospace exhibitionIn India at the 14th Aero India 2023 International Aerospace Exhibition in Bangalore
Russia has presented about 200 samples of weapons and military equipment. Among the novelties are a whole line of air defense systems and complexes from the Almaz—Antey concern of East Kazakhstan Region, as well as fighters and helicopters at the Rosoboronexport stand (part of the Rostec State Corporation). The Indian side noted the new light multi-purpose fighter Tejas, while representatives of the United States showed visitors the fifth-generation fighter F-35.This year's event lasted five days (February 13-17):
three — for specialists and the press, two — for the public. The flight program was opened by Su-30MKI and MiG-29UPG fighters of the Indian Air Force (Air Force), representing the basis of the country's Air Force fleet.
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| The Su-30MKI fighter. |
| Source: Marina Lysseva/ TASS |
As noted in the press service of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of the Rostec State Corporation), the Su-30MKI, in particular, were produced under license in India. Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev, in turn, told TASS that Russia is currently negotiating the production of an additional number of these supersonic fighters in the republic.
Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), told TASS that the total export of Russian military products to India over the past five years has exceeded $13 billion, while the republic continues to be Russia's partner in the field of military-technical cooperation, despite unprecedented pressure from Western countries. "Despite the sanctions, Russia fulfills all obligations under current contracts and offers new directions (projects) of cooperation in the military-technical sphere," he said.
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| MiG-29UPG fighter (in the center). |
| Source: Marina Lysseva/ TASS |
The current program of cooperation between the countries in the defense sphere, designed for 2021-2031, includes the implementation of more than 200 joint projects, among the latest — the supply of long-range anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMS) S-400 "Triumph".
According to Boris Obnosov, CEO of the Tactical Missile Armament Corporation, Russia and India should continue to develop the military-technical cooperation partnership. "I believe that India is our reliable partner, proven for years, even decades, that's why we chose the time to come here to this exhibition. <...> Therefore, I estimate that the prospects are very good, we need to develop partnership," he told TASS on the sidelines of the exhibition. The corporation also stressed that they strive to become an active partner in the framework of the Make in India program both in the field of creating new samples of high-precision weapons, and organizing after-sales service.
Russia as a major exporter
The Russian side has become an active participant in the exhibition. In particular, the fifth-generation Su-57E fighter, the Ka-226T light helicopter and the Il-76MD-90A(E) military transport aircraft, as well as the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and cannon complex (ZRPC) and the S-400 air defense system were presented at it. Also, as part of the exposition, the latest Vityaz air defense system and a line of Tor anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs), in particular Tor-M2KM in modular design, were demonstrated at the stand of the Almaz-Antey concern of East Kazakhstan Region.
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| Models of the Il-76MD-90A transport aircraft and the Su-57E fighter. |
| Source: Marina Lysseva/ TASS |
According to the head of Rosoboronexport, the Russian Federation is conducting technical consultations with India on the production of the Pantsir-S1 missile defense system, the Tor-M2KM air defense system, Boomerang infantry fighting vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) there. He added that Russia has submitted proposals to India for the supply of an additional batch of MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB naval fighters, and the supply of S-400 air defense systems is carried out in accordance with the terms stipulated in the contract.
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| The layout of the Tor-M2KM air defense system. |
| Source: Marina Lysseva/ TASS |
Rosoboronexport is also discussing with private Indian enterprises the issue of upgrading IL-76 heavy military transport aircraft, while Indian partners are interested in the Russian upgraded Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft.
Vladimir Drozhzhov, Deputy Director of the FSVTS, noted that negotiations are currently underway on the supply of technological kits for the licensed production of Su-30MKI aircraft in India and a contract for the production of Igla-S MANPADS is expected to be signed. In addition, the Russian side is waiting for an invitation from Indian partners to contract negotiations on the purchase of Ka-31 helicopters, which were interrupted due to the pandemic and resumed in February 2022. The parties agreed that the batch of helicopters will cost $520 million.
One of the topics discussed was the program of joint production of Ka-226T light helicopters by Russia and India.
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| The Ka-226T helicopter. |
| Source: Marina Lysseva/ TASS |
As Drozhzhov told TASS, negotiations on the creation of equipment were frozen on the initiative of the Indian side, since the partner is not satisfied with the level of localization. Updated proposals have been submitted to Indian partners, which provide for 70 percent localization. "The decision of the Indian side to continue the negotiation process is expected," he said.
The conflict of interest was later denied by Sibi Ananthakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of the state aircraft company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). "If the program is given the go—ahead, we are ready to start working," said the top manager of HAL.
India is preparing to become a major arms producer
The main purpose of the exhibition for India was to demonstrate the country's capabilities in turning it from a major buyer of weapons into a manufacturer and exporter of defense products. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated at the opening of the event, India has become a reliable partner in the field of defense for many countries of the world, including those "that overtake it in terms of the level of development of the defense sector." Modi noted that the exhibition reflects India's new approach, pointing to the scale of the Indian defense industry.
As the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Rajnath Singh told reporters during the airshow, about 250 memoranda of understanding were signed on the sidelines of Aero India 2023, including technology transfer deals with the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and various companies.
When concluding defense contracts, New Delhi relies on the "Make in India" and "Self-Sufficient India" programs announced by the government, which provide for the development of defense production on Indian territory and technology transfer when establishing partnerships with foreign manufacturers.
The Minister indicated that in the next fiscal year (starting on April 1), the share of arms purchases from local suppliers will be increased from 68% currently to 75% of the country's defense procurement budget. Thus, national producers will receive about a trillion rupees ($12.1 billion), which should contribute to the further development of their own defense production.
Indian Pavilion and other participants of the exhibition
The center of the Indian pavilion was the light multipurpose fighter Tejas — the only combat aircraft of Indian design, which is mass-produced in the country.
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| The Tejas fighter. |
| Source: Marina Lysseva/ TASS |
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, an Indian aircraft manufacturer, also presented mock—ups of the HLFT-42 training aircraft and models of promising fighters, which are currently at various stages of development. These are AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), created as part of the development of a fifth—generation fighter, and a twin-engine deck fighter (the project name TEDBF - Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter), which should form the basis of the aviation connection of Indian aircraft carriers. In addition, the Indian company Garuda Aerospace has introduced the latest unobtrusive tactical drone Vajra.
During the airshow, it was announced that about 200 helicopters of Indian design will soon enter service with the country's ground forces — these are 95 light Prachant helicopters and 110 multifunctional LUH (Light Utility Helicopter).
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| Helicopter Prachant ("Prachant"). |
| Source: Marina Lysseva/ TASS |
Among foreign countries, the United States became the leader in the number of aircraft exhibited at the airshow, which for the first time presented fifth-generation F-35 fighters in India, and also showed the F-16, F-18 multi-purpose fighters and the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber with variable wing geometry.
