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| India-Pakistan |
| Russia not interested in exporting BrahMos cruise missile to other countries |
| 2007-01-21 |
| Moscow, Jan 21: Describing the BrahMos cruise missile, developed jointly by India and Russia, as "highly lethal" and capable of upsetting the balance of forces in any region where they may appear, a top Russian defence official has said Moscow was not keen on its export to other countries. BrahMos is the joint Indo-Russian venture for the production of the high-tech cruise missiles. Under the initial agreement, Moscow and New Delhi had agreed to jointly export it to "friendly" countries. However, recent aggressive marketing moves by the New Delhi-based JV had drawn flaks from the Russian missile industry. "This is a very lethal and potent weapon system, which can upset balance of forces in any region where it may appear, be it in our neighbourhood, Indian Ocean or Latin America. "India is one thing, she is our strategic partnership and poses no military threat to Russia, but we are not keen on giving it to other countries, be it China or any other friendly nation," Colonel-General Anatoly Mazurkevich said. Mazurkevich, who heads international cooperation department of the Russian Defence Ministry, said that one of the reasons for not Russia not keen to export this weapon, "highly lethal for potential enemies", is that its range could be easily extended from the current 300 km, allowed under Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). "We are not worried about it as we have nuclear weapons, but this (unauthorised extension of range) may pose threat not only to India but also to our other friends and allies," Mazurkevich underscored. He said BrahMos is initially an anti-ship cruise missile and Russia is closely cooperating with India in the development of its other variants including land and air based. "Coupled with Sukhoi SU-30MKI it makes a highly potent weapon system," General Mazurkevich said. However, the trial of this system requires heavy financing and Russia would help India in this, he said. "Two-three trials of BrahMos Air Force version would equal the cost of a SU-30MKI fighter, but we have expertise, how to do this at much lesser cost," Mazurkevich said, adding that "unveiling and enhancing" the hidden potential of new weapon systems like BrahMos cruise missiles, SU-30MKI fighters and T-90s Main Battle Tanks would be one of the thrust areas Indo-Russian military-to-military cooperation. |
| Posted by:john |
| #4 GE: This is the first time I've heard Russians not selling anything. This may simply be pre-sale hype, along the lines of but for you, I'll make an exception. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2007-01-21 20:35 |
| #3 The Russian political faction that is anti-Chinese has gained some clout recently, especially with the troubles the Russians are having with the Chinese "businessmen" operating in Siberia. The Russian Mafia is not too thrilled with the Triads taking over their historic turf, and are funding politicians that stress the permanent Russian nature of Siberia. Also, even though China is now buying a lot of gear from the Russians, the Chinese are really pushing the technology transfer angle, which means in 10 or so years, bye bye to sales. The Indians on the other hand are doing joint development, paying for research in hard currency, have been major Russian/Soviet arms buyers for 4 decades, and are not making any suggestions of possible switchover about any areas in Russia. There has been a strong pro-Indian faction in Russia, at least from the 1920s on, when the Indian Communist Party was so supportive of the Soviets. Plus, a counterbalancing force to the 1.2 billion Chinese is a geopolitical godsend. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2007-01-21 20:23 |
| #2 This is the first time I've heard Russians not selling anything. |
| Posted by: Gloque Elmang4914 2007-01-21 19:02 |
| #1 BrahMos website |
| Posted by: john 2007-01-21 18:34 |