Russian President Vladimir Putin, at talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Moscow on July 9, set a goal to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030. The parties agreed to support joint production of goods under the "Made in India" initiative. It is possible that India will return to the project of local production of Russian Ka-226T helicopters, writes the Eurasian Times.
Reviving the suspended project to produce light Ka-226T helicopters in India is perhaps the easiest option for expanding cooperation in the field of aircraft construction.
In 2015, Russia and India agreed on the joint production of light multi-purpose Ka-226T helicopters in India at the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) plant. The country's armed forces' need for helicopters was estimated at no less than 400 units.
The Indo-Russian Helicopters joint venture (JV) was supposed to produce the Ka-226T locally in India. According to the agreement, Russian Helicopters would own 42.5% of the enterprise, HAL - 50.5%, and Rosoboronexport - the remaining 7%. However, its implementation has not moved from a dead center due to issues related to the transfer of technology and components.
About 72% of the helicopter's components were of Russian origin, and the engines were French. The authorities of the European country blocked the sale of engines for the Ka-226T helicopter.
However, Russia has developed its own engine - the VK-650V. It is currently undergoing testing and certification, which increases the chances of resuming the Ka-226T deal.
Read more on the topic:
Rostec delivered Mi-8MTV-1 helicopters to Kamchatka and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Russian modernized Mi-8MTV5-1 helicopter - what is known about it
"Drone Destroyers": Russian Ansat-2RC helicopter vs. American Bell 407M - which is better?