Russia-India tank deal in doldrums

MOSCOW - Russia on Wednesday termed media speculations that it was trying to refuse to fulfil a decade-old licensed production of T-90s main battle tanks in India as futile.
We are timely and completely fulfilling all agreements with India on the licensed production of T-90 tanks, including the delivery of all necessary components and the transfer of technical documentation, a Russian defence industry source told RIA Novosti news agency.
He was referring to the Indian media reports that the licensed production of T-90 tanks was hamstrung by Moscows obstruction in transferring technology and the Russian-built assemblies needed even for the India-built tanks.
It is difficult to say why these allegations have been emerged, the Russian source said, adding that all controversial issues on the arms contracts with India are promptly resolved by the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation. India ordered 310 T-90s in 2001 following delays in the manufacturing of the indigenous 'Arjun tank.