After its widely-published defence deals and strong military ties including the recent logisticals pact with US, India is now working to strengthen defence ties with its traditional strategic partner Russia.
Major defence deals with Russia, ranging from the Rs 39,000 crore acquisition of five S-400 Triumf advanced air defence missile systems to the $1.5 billion lease of a second nuclear-powered submarine, are also in the offing, says a report in The Times of India.
Other mega defence projects like joint development of the futuristic fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and Kamov Ka-226T light utility helicopters were "well on track". TOI quoted its sources as saying.
India already operates nuclear-powered Akula II class submarine, named INS Chakra - taken on lease from Russia under a $900 million for ten years in April 2012.
The 16th meeting of the India-Russia Military Technical Cooperation Working Group will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, the report said, adding that the Indian delegation will be led by the director-general of defence acquisitions in the meeting, which will include the inking of a joint protocol.
India is trying to strike a fine balance between the two erstwhile Cold War rivals which is also evident in the way the Indian Army will hold combat exercises with US and Russian forces this month.
