India and Russia finalise Joint Venture documents for Kamov

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russian defence firms have finalised the Joint Venture agreement for collaboration in the production of light weight multi-role ‘Kamov 226T’ helicopters in India. The document is awaiting formal registration with relevant bodies in the respective countries.

The Inter-Government agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in December, 2015. Last year in October, Russian Helicopters, Rosoboronexport and HAL Corporation had created a joint venture to localise the production of Ka-226Ts and deliver them to the Indian market in an estimated $1 billion deal.

The agreement for the Joint Venture (JV) was signed at the BRICS summit in Goa last year. In addition to the assembly, the JV provides terms for maintenance, operation and repairs of these helicopters. Rostec Corporation is the parent company of Russian arms supplier Rosoboronexport.