Moscow (Agencies): Russia’s state-owned defense corporation, Rostec, has revealed plans to manufacture ‘Mango’ missiles for the Indian Army’s T-72 and T-90 tanks within India. The 125-mm projectiles, designed for firing from these tanks, feature armor-piercing sub-caliber shells. The initiative aligns with India’s ‘Make In India’ program, aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency. Rostec’s general director, Sergey Chemezov, emphasized the importance of localizing production, including plans to establish propellant manufacturing in India.
This collaboration builds upon existing joint projects between Russia and India, which include licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30MKI fighters. Additionally, an Indo-Russian joint venture recently delivered 35,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov rifles to the Indian Ministry of Defense. These rifles are produced in India using exclusive Russian technologies. The partnership exemplifies fruitful cooperation in the defense sector.
Russia remains India’s primary defense supplier, although India has been diversifying its sources of military imports and technological partnerships. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, co-developed by India and Russia, play a crucial role in India’s armed forces and are sought after by other nations, including the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia .