India and Russia sign agreement to produce more than 600,000 Kalashnikov rifles

 

During the meeting of the Ministers of Defense of Russia and India in Delhi, the countries signed an agreement for the joint production of more than 600,000 AK-203 submachine guns. The weapons will be manufactured in a factory in the Indian city of Korva, the Russian Kalashnikov concern said. The amount of the deal has not been announced, but according to the Nindustan Times, it could amount to more than 677 million dollars, the Russian newspaper "Kommersant" writes.

The head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation of the Russian Federation (FSVTS) Dmitry Shugaev said the countries plan to export the products of the BrahMos joint venture to third countries, and are also discussing the supply of other weapons.

  "Subsequently, 100% localization of production in India will be achieved, which is unprecedented and fully satisfies the course" Made in India ", proclaimed by the Indian leadership," said the Kalashnikov concern.

As the head of the FSVTS Dmitry Shugaev said on the air of the TV channel "Russia 24", among the joint defense projects discussed by Russia and India are:

-increasing the licensed production of Su-30MKI fighters by 50 units;

-export of products of the BrahMos Joint Undertaking, which specializes in the development of missiles for various purposes, to third countries;

-signing a contract for delivery and licensed production of portable anti-aircraft missile systems "Needle-C".

According to him, the portfolio of orders for the supply of military equipment and weapons to India now exceeds 14 billion dollars.

On December 6, a Russian delegation led by President Vladimir Putin, including Foreign and Defense Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Sergei Shoigu, and Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov arrived in Delhi to meet with Indian officials. For Putin, this is the second trip abroad during the pandemic - the last time he left Russia was half a year ago, for a summit with US President Joe Biden in Geneva.