Russia and India sign $1.6bn weapons deal

Russia and India signed weapons deals worth billions of dollars today as president Vladimir Putin sought to further boost ties with an old ally.

Mr Putin and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed co-operation between their countries as officials signed a $1.6bn (€1.21) deal for 42 Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets that will be license-built in India from Russian components and a $1.3bn (€985.66m) contract for the delivery of 71 Mil Mi-17 military helicopters.