Make in India
India and Russia are going to create a joint venture to
make light helicopters in India. India needs to replace hundreds of ageing
utility helicopters deployed along its Himalayan border with China as well as in
Jammu and Kashmir region.
This means an initial order of 200 Kamov-226 helicopters, of which 140 will be
built in India as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drive to build a
domestic defence industrial base and cut imports, is expected to be increased.
A team will assess the Indian manufacturing facilities over the next few months.
‘We are keeping our fingers crossed about launching production this year," an
executive at Russian Helicopters said. The executive, who did not want to be
named, said the joint venture will be modelled along the lines of Brahmos, the
India-Russia entity producing supersonic missiles, which which military analysts
say are among the deadliest in their class.’
