SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
As a further boost to its growing defense ties with Vietnam and India might see further collaboration on defense programs. Vietnam which operates Russian Su-30 jets in a slightly different configuration is considering opting for Indian developed Astra Mk1 beyond visual range air to air missile to replace its Vympel NPO R-77 missile across its Su-30MK2 fleet.
India recently cleared home-grown Astra Mk1 with a range of 110km for operational use from the two frontline Su-30MKI squadrons and recently placed the first massive orders for the missile system to replace Vympel NPO R-77 missile across the 250+ Su-30MKI fleet in multiple phases.
India and Vietnam in past have collaborated in the training of pilots and ground crew training in the maintenance of the Su-30fleet. idrw.org has been told that Vietnam might look to India in the future for the upgradation of Indian systems for its Su-30MK2 fleet if the arms embargo on Russian companies is not removed soon.
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