New Delhi, Oct 16, SPA -- Russia's defense minister said Sunday hiscountry is willing to provide India with the latest weaponry and conclude new defense agreements, a news report said. Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov is on a three-day visit toIndia to observe joint Indian-Russian army and navalmaneuvers. Ivanov said he hoped the two countries would sign anagreement on military intellectual property rights by theend of the year, which would pave the way for the futuretransfer of military technology, the Press Trust of Indianews agency reported. The two countries plan to collaborate on advanced fighteraircraft, warships and submarines, PTI quoted Ivanov assaying. Ivanov joined his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee inwatching a joint exercise in the western Indian city ofBikaner later Sunday. The pair had a lucky escape when a heavy mortar dropped bya transport plane landed just meters (yards) from theirobservation platform, the Itar-Tass news agency reported. The army maneuvers are scheduled to be followed by jointnaval exercises in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday. Russian navy chief Adm. Vladimir Masorin also is to attendthe naval drills, expected to include air defense at seaand anti-submarine warfare. About 300 soldiers from the two countries areparticipating in the 10-day maneuvers, which began Oct. 10at an army base near the northern Indian city of Agra.--SPA1249 Local Time 0949 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/296616