Bengaluru: In a significant development, India and USA are in the final stages of sealing an agreement on technology transfer for the aircraft carriers under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) signed by the two nations.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar revealed this in Bangalore on Friday. Parrikar was in the town to witness the inaugural flight of Hindustan Turbo Trainer (HTT-40) basic trainer aircraft designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) here.
“We are in the final stage of agreeing on aircraft carrier technologies,” Parrikar was quoted as saying by by Deccan Chronicle.
According to Parrikar, he has already discussed the possibility of co-development and co-production of advanced defence products, including aircraft carriers, as part of DTTI with U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.
When asked to comment on the reports of export of Brahmos missiles to Vietnam, Parrikar said that the two sides will discuss it and take a call thereafter.
“In principle decisions have been taken to export missiles to certainly friendly countries. During my visit to Vietnam, I asked them (Vietnam government) to give an informal requirement. We have designated our people, and they will discuss about them the requirement (of Vietnam), and we will then take a decision,” he said.
On Rafale deal, he said that the negotiations with France were coming to a conclusion and that in such big deals even a small saving mean hundreds of crores.
“The deal for acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets in fly-away condition could happen soon as negotiations with France were “coming to a conclusion. It’s a big purchase, even 0.1 percent savings mean hundreds of crores,” he said.
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