ANKARA:
India has decided to cancel its plan to buy Mi-17 V5 helicopters fromRussia to boost its domestic production, local media reported on Saturday.
The decision to cancel the plan to buy 48 more Mi-17 V5 helicopters fromRussia is not related to Russia’s war on Ukraine, rather in line with the‘Make in India’ initiative, *India Today* said citing top governmentsources on condition of anonymity.
“The tender for 48 Mi-17V5 helicopters has been withdrawn in view of thepush for indigenisation. The IAF (Indian Air Force) would now be supportingan indigenous programme for helicopters,” the sources said.
Russia stands out as the leading defence supplier of India by supplyingnearly 60% of the country’s defence industry needs, with which it has beenin close relations since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
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The Indian Defence Ministry announced that it will increase the productionof a large number of defence equipment, including helicopters, tankengines, missiles, and early warning systems, in case Russia cannot procuremilitary equipment.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier said that they aim to makeIndia a defence production centre.
