Russia and India Sign RD-33 Production License Agreement

Released on Wednesday, January 24, 2007

On January, 24, 2007 during the session of the Russian-Indian Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation in New Delhi an agreement for licensed production of aircraft engine RD-33 series 3 for MiG-29 jets in India has been signed. The head of the Russian delegation is Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov. From the Russian part the agreement has been signed by Director General of the Rosoboronexport State Corporation Sergey Chemezov.

The production of the aircraft engines will be organized by HAL with the technical assistance of Moscow Chernyshev Machine Building enterprise (MMP Chernyshev). The production of engines will be organized gradually and includes first the delivery of finished engines, assembling of large units and later self-manufacturing of engine components and units by Indian enterprises.

The development of aircraft engines production by Indian enterprises under Russian technologies demonstrates the gradual transformation of Russian-Indian Military-Technical Cooperation from "supplier-customer" relations to joint research and joint production. Moreover it will improve combat capabilities of Indian Air Force fleet.

The transfer of the Russian production technology of such state-of-the-art equipment as the aircraft engine RD-33 series 3 to India is aimed at raising the opportunities of Russian-made multi-functional fighter aircraft MiG-35 in Indian Air Force tender on purchasing of 126 fighters, which will take place this year.