| Submit your comments on this article |
| India-Pakistan |
| India, Russia sign major defence agreements |
| 2003-12-03 |
| Edited For Length NEW DELHI, OCT 4: Giving a new thrust to defence ties, India and Russia today signed four major agreements for purchase of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, 310 frontline T-90 main battle tanks and licensed production in India of 140 multi-role SU-30 MKI jet fighters, estimated at over $3 billion. The agreements, aimed at giving India a major force multipliers, would augment the strike capabilities of the navy, air-force and the army. The two sides also firmed up a wide-ranging protocol setting up Inter-Governmental Commission on Defence and Technical Cooperation, to be headed by Defence Minister George Fernandes and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov. It will meet annually. The protocol and two agreements on indigenous production of SU-30 MKI and acquisition of Russian aircraft carrier were signed by Klebanov and Fernandes at South Block in the presence of top-ranking defence and military officials from both sides. He [Klebanov] said India would also acquire complete technology-transfer of the state-of-the-art tank with missile-firing capability for its indigenous manufacture. The first of these tanks, fitted with an active protection system against enemy missiles, would arrive in India within months, defence officials said adding that the Indian Army had completed trials of the armament system. The acquisition of these tanks would offset Pakistan’s perceived armoured superiority by its induction of upgraded Ukrainian T-80 UD tanks and delays in indigenous production of MBT Arjun. The spokesman said the agreement on acquisition of Admiral Gorshkov would pave the way for its re-fit and modernisation. The re-fitted heavy carrier would be equipped with MIG-29K naval fighters in addition of Sea Harriers and Sea King, KA-31 and KA-28 helicopters. The acquisition of a carrier with over 45,000 tonnes’ displacement capacity would enable the navy to fill the void, created by the decommissioning of India’s carrier INS Vikrant, three years ago. India, at present, has only one carrier, INS Viraat. I’m not sure how I feel about this. Sure, the Indians are a lot less agressively spooky than the Chinese, but how trustworthy are they? Will they help us with the WOT against certain very dangerous portions of the Arab world, or will they sit on the sidelines? Having two big carriers makes them a major player worldwide, right -- "Projection of power" and that sort of thing? |
| Posted by:Secret Master |
| #2 Two carriers, yes, but not with anywhere near the range or power of American carriers. I don't think the Indians were suckered -- their enemies are the Pakistanis and the Chinese, not Americans or Europeans. This is sufficient tech for them for now. And finally, India may or may not be dependable or useful in the WOT beyond Pakistan, but it will be critical in the next stage in 20-30 years, as a strategic partner against China. Right now Sino-Indian relations are warm, but when push comes to shove, India and the US are democracies and China ain't. |
| Posted by: Catfish N. Cod 2003-12-3 9:58:16 PM |
| #1 The Indians got suckered. I think the sweet spot for them must be getting the license to build the SU-30. Perhaps they'll also get a Charlie II out of the deal. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-12-3 4:17:26 PM |