During his visit to India, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed deals to sell helicopters and fighter jet kits

During his visit to India, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed deals to sell helicopters and fighter jet kits, AFP said.

Putin met Manmohan Singh, the prime minister of India, on Monday and finalized a deal which includes selling India 71 military helicopters for $1.3 billion and kits to assemble 42 Sukhoi jet fighters for a further $1.6 billion, Kremlin officials said after the meeting.

The contract for Mi-17 helicopters was first signed in 2010 and India has now increased the order from 59 to 71, the ministry of external affairs said in its list of deals agreed by Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

India is now the world's largest arms importer and it mainly depends on the Russian-made military equipment which accounts about 70 percent of Indian arms supplies.

According to Indian government figures, bilateral trade has been growing steadily and is expected to reach around $10 billion dollars in 2012, rising 2.5$ billion from 2009.

"Russia is a key partner in our efforts to modernize our armed forces and enhance our defence preparedness," Singh said after holding talks with Putin and signing ten deals ranging from science and technology to education.

Delivery of parts for 42 Su-30MKI fighter planes for assembly in India was also between the deals. The original agreement for the jets was signed last year.

Russia was originally to deliver the upgraded vessel in August 2008, but the date has now been pushed back to the end of 2013 while the price has more than doubled to $2.3 billion.

After the meeting on Monday, Putin said the dialogue was "substantial and constructive".