Moscow, 18/5: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has cast a shadow over India’s plan to procure KA-31 helicopters from the former Soviet Union nation for deployment on the Indian Navy’s new indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Though New Delhi was in discussion with Moscow for procuring 10 KA-31 Airborne Early Warning helicopters developed by Kamov JSC of Russia for the Indian Navy, uncertainty now looms large over the proposed $ 520 million deal.
A source said that the sanctions imposed by the United States and other western nations on Russia for its aggression against Ukraine had made it difficult for India to pay for helicopters proposed to be procured from the former Soviet Union nation, although New Delhi and Moscow were discussing ways to circumvent the sanctions and continue bilateral trade.