Visiting Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes held a news conference at Tashkent airport before leaving to ancient Uzbek cities of Samarkand and Bukhara. George Fernandes held a news conference at Tashkent airport. According to Uzbek Radio, no documents have been signed during George Fernandes\' visit to Uzbekistan. The parties only discussed the strengthening of military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries. Speaking about the results of the visit, George Fernandes said among other things: \"An agreement on providing the Indian Air Force with six Uzbek-made IL-78 (air-to-air refueller) aircraft was recently signed. The ceremony of handing over the first aircraft was held yesterday. The second aircraft, which is getting the finishing touches at the Chkalov aviation plant in Tashkent, will be ready by the end of this month. It is planned that the other four aircraft will be handed over to the Indian Air Force by the end of this year. We have also taken one Indian aircraft to have it repaired at the Chkalov aviation plant. We have acquainted ourselves with the potential of the plant. If the Indian Air Force finds its necessary to acquire more aircraft or repair the existing ones, then we will turn to the plant.\" Fernandes did not disclose the value of the contract, but Reuters reported the deal could be worth around USD 150 mln, quoting local industry sources. The contract on the delivery of the Ilyushin 78, a modified replica of the renowned heavy transport turbo-prop Ilyushin 76, is a great boost for Uzbek plant. During the news conference, the Indian defence minister also repeated India\'s stance on Iraq had not changed. India supports the policy of peace and is in favour of resolving any problem, including the Iraq problem, by peaceful means, George Fernandes said. (UzReport.com)