Finer details of this project will be worked out during the visit of the Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev to India scheduled in December, 2010.

India will also get 45 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) within a period of 10 years.

At the 10th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) held here in Delhi on Thursday joint protocols were signed by the India Defence Minister AK Anthony and the Russian Defence Minister, AE Serdyukov.

India and Russia agreed to cooperate in the areas of R&D and technology transfer with the active involvement of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Indian side.

When questioned about the delays in implementation of several projects jointly undertaken by the two countries, Serdyukov said ; “We have discussed the issue threadbare and in most cases we have found satisfactory solutions. We are determined there would be no critical delays in the future.”

Anthony described Russia as time-test reliable partner in the area of defence. Over the years both the countries have been jointly developing many systems and equipment and other sophisticated items for Indian Armed Forces.

From October 15 to 25, this year, India and Russia will engage in joint military exercises in India. About 280 troops from Southern Russian Command will join in the joint exercise. In November, 2010 Russian Chief of the Army Staff is likely to visit India to work out details of the future programmes. Another joint military exercise is scheduled in 2011.