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Russia-Algeria defence deal may benefit India

Vladimir Radyuhin

Moscow may source from India some components for jet fighters Algiers is buying

MOSCOW: India may get a share of a multi-billion defence package Russia has sealed with Algeria for the supply of combat aircraft, defence industry sources said.

Russian aircraft manufacturers may source from India some key components for a large batch of jet fighters Algeria is buying from Russia, the sources said.

Under a record $7.5-billion defence package announced during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Algiers on Friday, Russia will supply 28 Su-30 multi-role, long-range fighter planes, 49 multi-role MiG-29SMT fighters, 20 Yak-130 advanced jet trainers, as well as air-defence systems and tanks.

``Algeria wants its Su-30 to closely match the Su-30MKI version India has procured from Russia,'' the sources told The Hindu. ``The Su-30MKI has some Indian-made avionics and other parts, therefore Indian companies may be contracted to supply the same components for Algeria.''

India, which is building 140 Su-30MKI under Russian licence, is also involved in the manufacture of avionics and airframe parts for Su-30MKM jets Malaysia has purchased from Russia.

Russian experts said the Algerian contacts are improving Russia's chances of winning the tender for the supply of 126 multi-role combat aircraft to the IAF.

Russia has fielded its latest MiG-35 fighter plane in the Indian tender.

``The contract for the supply of four dozen MiG-29SMT planes to Algeria has propelled the MiG corporation to the top position among Russia's aircraft manufacturers and has sharply consolidated the company's financial standing ahead of the Indian tender,'' said Mr. Dmitry Vasiliev of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.

The MiG-35 (export name of the MiG-29M/M2 version), powered by an innovative thrust vectoring engine, RD-33OVT, will compete for the Indian contract against Lockheed Martin's F16, and SAAB's Gripen.

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Russia-Algeria defence deal may benefit India

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