DATE=11/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA RUSSIA DEFENSE (S-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255886
BYLINE=JIM TEEPLE
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: India and Russia have signed a wide-ranging
defense cooperation agreement -- pledging to jointly
manufacture combat jets and submarines. The pact also
calls for Russia to sell an aircraft carrier to India
as well as early warning airborne systems and
strategic bombers. V-O-A's Jim Teeple reports from
our New Delhi Bureau India's new government has
pledged to increase defense spending, following this
year's conflict in the Kargil region of Kashmir.
TEXT: The agreement was signed during a visit to
New Delhi by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya
Klebanov who says defense ties will be further
strengthened during a planned visit to New Delhi next
year by Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
The agreement allows for joint production of S-U-30
fighter-bomber jets beginning next year. India will
also buy the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier from
the Russian Navy. Currently India operates only one
carrier -- the British made Viraat.
Russia and India also discussed licensing production
of Russian kilo-class submarines and an overhaul of
India's existing submarine fleet. (Signed)
neb/jlt / wd
06-Nov-1999 03:57 AM EDT (06-Nov-1999 0857 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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