Last Update: February 08, 2023, 23:17 IST
India signed significant defense export deals this year, including a massive $375 million contract with the Philippines for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. (Picture: AFP / File)
BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India and Russia that specializes in nuclear-capable supersonic missiles.
India-Russia defense partnership will “never” be hampered by Western sanctions on Moscow, the BrahMos Aerospace chief said on Wednesday, adding that it is “trust” that makes the partnership work.
The West, led by the US, has imposed severe sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between? India and Russia which specializes in nuclear-capable supersonic missiles.
The company currently manufactures the BrahMos missile and is currently developing the hypersonic cruise missile BrahMos II.
Atul Dinkar Rane, managing director and CEO of BrahMos Aerospace Indo-Russian joint venture, told Russia’s official news agency TASS that the West’s efforts will not stop the Russia-India defense partnership nor affect the company’s operations.
When Rane was asked whether Western countries could stop India-Russia defense and security cooperation, Rane said, “My personal feeling – it is never!”
“And if one tries, he will only fail. The bond between Indian scientists and Russian technologists is now too deep to be severed. Even if someone tells us the law – no more talking with Russia, you start talking to someone else – but we will always say that working with the Russians was easier,” Taas said. quoted him as saying.
Rane stressed that it is the trust between India and Russia that will help this partnership work despite sanctions from the West.
“The trust that we have developed between both the partners, the trust is good enough for us to work and we are working ahead despite all these restrictions,” Rane said.
Russia has traditionally been India’s major arms supplier.
Unlike many other major Western powers, India has not directly criticized Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and has abstained from a single vote in UN forums to condemn the Russian aggression.
India has been pressing for a solution to the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.
Rane also said that several foreign countries expressed interest in buying different versions of the BrahMos cruise missile.
“The Philippines is the first order we have received,” Rane said. He said that at present five countries have placed their orders.
“So far, all I can say is they are from Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.” He said BrahMos Aerospace plans to start shipping the missiles to the Philippines in the middle or second half of this year.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)