NEW DELHI – The government is all set to conclude a multi-billion dollardeal by October to procure 200 Kamov Ka-226Tlink>attackhelicopters through a joint venture between Russian Helicopters andstate-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Official sources said almost all the ground work to finalise the megaproject has been completed as the government is eyeing to seal it withinthe next four months.

An inter-governmental agreement between India and Russia was signed for theproject during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in December2015.

In October 2016, India and Russia had finalised a broad agreement to set upthe joint venture (JV) between HAL and Russian Helicopters which willco-produce the choppers.

India is procuring the choppers to replace its ageing Cheetah and Chetakhelicopters.

Last month, the defence ministry issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to theIndo-Russian venture for the project.

Officials said the HAL-RH joint venture will send a detailed response tothe RFP by end of August and the final deal is set to be signed in October.

They said the government has already approved the technical configurationfor the twin-engine multi-role helicopter which is known for its superiormanoeuvring capabilities in mountainous areas.

The defence ministry has already approved the payment for setting up of theJV. A site in the vicinity of Tumkur near Bengaluru has been identified forsetting up the facility to produce the choppers.

The Kamov helicopters will be supplied to the Indian Air Force and theArmy. Both these forces have been pressing for early conclusion of the dealso that they could replace their ageing fleet of existing choppers withinnext three to four years.

According to the 2015 agreement, 60 Kamov-226T helicopters will be suppliedto India in fly-away condition, while 140 will be manufactured in India.

Russia had agreed to ensure transfer of technologies to India as part ofthe pact. Russia has been one of India’s key suppliers of arms andammunition for decades.