*DUBAI: **One of the largest ever military helicopters deal between Indiaand Russia of 240 combat helicopters faces a setback.*
The head of Russian Helicopters said on Sunday that India was delaying thesigning of a firm agreement for purchasing 140 helicopters despiteproviding all information.
Chief Executive Andrey Boginsky also said it would benefit India if theplanned order for over 100 rotorcraft for the Indian Navy could be combinedwith the 140 India is looking to buy for the Army.
Russian Helicopters is owned by state-owned Russian conglomerate Rostec.
India and Russia signed a deal in 2015 under Indian Prime Minister NarendraModi’s ‘Make in India’ programme for the supply of 140 KA 226T helicopterswith Russia to deliver 40 and the remaining to be assembled andmanufactured in India.
The two countries also have held preliminary talks for the supply of over100 of the KA 226-T helicopters for the Indian Navy, Boginsky said.
“We have done significant successful work and provided all information toIndia’s ministry of defence, unfortunately there is no efficient and quickway from the Indian side,” he told *Reuters* at the Dubai Air Show.
“We can’t understand the reasons for the delay.”