Russian, Indian Defense Chiefs Agree to Speed Up Joint Military Projects

NEW DELHI, January 21 (Sputnik) — Russia and India have agreed to speed up work on the fifth-generation fighter jet they are developing together, among other joint projects tackled during a Wednesday meeting between the countries' defense ministers.

Speaking on the heels of the meeting in New Delhi, Indian defense chief Manohar Parrikar told reporters he had discussed "all the issues including the fifth-generation fighter aircraft" with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu.

"We have decided to fast-track many of the issues," Parrikar said, adding there was "apprehension" about the slow progress on the construction of the aircraft.

In early January, a Russian-Indian joint venture in charge of the project said Russian and Indian engineers had completed a preliminary design for the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA).

Defense Minister Parrikar said the government had invited Russian companies to come over to India for other joint projects, specifically the production of spare parts for Russia-made military equipment on the Indian soil. He added the Indian army had a "substantial" amount of Russian and Soviet military equipment in service, including heavy artillery and armored vehicles.

Shoigu is in India for the 14th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Technical Cooperation, which aims at boosting Russia's military and counterterrorism cooperation with its South Asian partner.