India threatens to review its defence relations with Russia

[Neo]

India threatens to review its defence relations with Russia ​

* Indian navy chief rejects Russian demands for renegotiation of defence deals

NEW DELHI: India has threatened to review defence relations with Russia following Moscow’s raising the prices of various military deals and vacillating on handing over aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta reacted sharply to the latest Russian delays, saying they would make India “ponder where our defence relations are going to” with Moscow.

He rejected Russia ‘s demands for price negotiations on the aircraft carrier deal. He said India had already paid a huge sum in advance. “We have paid more than $400 million for the carrier and we own it now. I have told the government that the navy’s line is that we should not talk on renegotiating the price for the carrier.”

Russia not only increased the annual escalation cost of the weapon system from 2.55 percent to 5 per cent, it is also demanding an additional $1.2 billion to deliver Admiral Gorshkov.

The aircraft carrier was originally priced at $974 million and was supposed to be delivered in late 2007 or early 2008. This was later pushed to 2010-11. With the latest developments, the delivery is likely to be delayed even more. But now, Moscow also wants the price to be revised to a whopping 2.7 billion dollars. The Russians say 2,400 km of re-cabling work is required on the ship, hence the escalation.

“When we signed the deal, it was a fixed-price contract, taking into account all eventualities of retrofitting... The retrofitting process will take at least two years... We have to see where our relations are going to with Moscow,” said Mehta. “We should not pay anything more than what we have committed in the original contract.”

India signed a deal with Russia on January 20, 2004, for Gorshkov along with 12 single-seat MIG-29 fighters and four twin-seat MiG-29 trainers.

Of late, Moscow’s nightmares over the Indian bonhomie with the US are getting reflected in defence negotiations. Besides Gorshkov, the Russians gave a tough time to the Indians over supplying 40 new SU-30 MKI fighters. Moscow demanded that the price be revised, citing cost escalations, and India ended up paying an additional $40 million.

The navy chief’s comments come ahead of a visit by a high-level Russian delegation, arriving here later this week for price renegotiations.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[amunhotep]

this will the biggest mistake the defence establishment of india will ever commit.

instead of addressing russia's legitimate concerns our navy chief is bent on brinkmanship

 

[Ababeel]

Since India has more and better options it can bargain with Russia.
As long as Gorshkov is concerned its like a white elephant.

 

[Energon]

Actually the escalating costs aren't really worth it for India except for the Su30MKI frames. There has been a large paradigm shift in the Indian armed forces doctrine as of late and most of it is based around state of the art western and Israeli technology. Russian hardware was however very affordable and had the ability to be radically modified as in the case of the MKI. However now with the rising Rupee and the falling dollar, India might as well go for American technology. As far as ships are concerned, with the Indian private sector's hold on the world steel market, they can realistically become self sufficient with indigenous ship production. All they will need for now are the remaining 3 destroyers from Russia.

 

[aryan2007]

These kinds of statements ahead of the Russian delegations trip to India to discuss the deal, is a wave of India asserting itself that we will not pay a buck etc. and let them know where we stand.

More like a war of words to show the Russians their place.. it is not to be taken literally, it is just to let the Russians Know we are not dependent on you and we will take our business elsewhere. A very smart move actually..

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

India is getting increasingly Vocal with its unease with Russia !!!


No dealings on aircrafts with Russia: Indian Navy

Vishal Thapar / CNN-IBN



Published on Tue, Dec 04, 2007 at 23:14, Updated at Tue, Dec 04, 2007 in Nation section

Eastern Seaboard: From Indo US relations to Indo Russian ties, they are certainly catching a chill.

And for that matter, India is getting increasingly vocal about its unease with its principal defence supplier--Russia.

After the bitter spat over the acquisition of the Russian aircraft carrier Gorshkov, the Indian Navy is now going public with another sore issue-- the Klub cruise missile.

Inducted to be the main strike weapon of India's submarine arm between 2001 and 2006, this anti-ship cruise missile has never hit a target.

Seven of India's 10-kilo class submarines and the three Talwar class stealth frigates have been fitted with this weapon.

"There are problems that we have overcome but we are having dialogues,” says FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral PS Suthan

India is reported to have acquired over 200 Klubs at a cost of several thousand crores. And the missiles have never reached anywhere close to the stated range of 300 km.

The failure of the Klub cruise missiles has raised fresh doubts about the reliability of Russia as an arms supplier.

The naval top brass now concedes that it may have to reconsider the entire upgrade programme for the Kilo class submarines.

“We will look into other missiles,” says Vice-Admiral Puthan.

New options for India have made the reliability deficit with Russian equipment harder to digest.

The US has already made in-roads with the Vulcan Phalynx weapon system, installed on board the newly-acquired troop carrier ship, INS Jalashwa.

The Phalynx is the world's most proven close-in missile defence system, and it's the first lethal weapon system supplied by the US to India.

Also, it is the first time that a non-NATO country has been provided this weapon"

So the continuing problems with Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov's modernisation refit project has become the most visible symbol of the rancour creeping into the relationship.

No dealings on aircrafts with Russia: Indian Navy

See Video Here - No dealings on aircrafts with Russia: Indian Navy : IBNLive.com > Videos


Seems Indian Navy Atleast is not pretty Happy with Russians !!!

 

[solid snake]

And so it begins...

 

[Cheetah786]

These kinds of statements ahead of the Russian delegations trip to India to discuss the deal, is a wave of India asserting itself that we will not pay a buck etc. and let them know where we stand.

More like a war of words to show the Russians their place.. it is not to be taken literally, it is just to let the Russians Know we are not dependent on you and we will take our business elsewhere. A very smart move actually..

Burning bridges never a good idea specially when it comes to the defence of the country and a trusted friend.
But this was written on the wall long before most indian friends just didnt wanna accept it.
I wouldnt be surpprised if china isnt offered westren arms soon too(but this is me thinking out loud)

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Holding on to the Bridge with duds also is not the sign of the trust being reciprocated.

India's economy, its huge captive market and strategic location fits into the West geopolitical and geostrategic matrix. Therefore, it gives an advantage to India's bargaining power.

India is no spring chicken and hence to ensure that the defence deals do not upset its apple cart through sanctions, she goes in for technology transfers and its defence industry is well geared and sophisticated to absorb new technologies without huge cost burdens!

China does not require to have western weapons offered to it. It is one side ahead with acquiring the same in a stealthy manner that leaves all dumbfounded and looking very foolish!

Check this:
Secrets of Shell and Rolls-Royce come under attack from China’s spies - Times Online

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

Not a good move by India...

Russia not only supplies India with Arms but is the single source of Geopolitical Support that India enjoys in Security Council in UN. Making ties with russian weaken is what European and US influence is going to achieve...

 

[alibaz]

NEW DELHI: India and Russia have signed a deal worth USD 1.237 billion for the additional supply of 347 T-90s Main Battle Tanks (MBT).

Part of these tanks will be assembled at Avadi factory in Tamil Nadu from the kits to be supplied by Uralvagonzavod Tank Plant situated in Nizhny Tagil in the Urals, according to state-run radio.

It did not, however, say when and where the deal was signed.

India currently has 310 t-90s MBTs of which the heavy vehicles factory in Avadi assembled 181 from the kits imported from Russia.

 

[KENT]

Not a good move by India...

Russia not only supplies India with Arms but is the single source of Geopolitical Support that India enjoys in Security Council in UN. Making ties with russian weaken is what European and US influence is going to achieve...

Oh dear, be care before fuming such a hot air!

There were initial hiccups which theses relation had between 1990 and 1993, but it did not diminish the range and content of Indo-Russian Relation. Indo-Russian relation maintain a basic continuity from their accumulated inheritance stretching back to nearly 40 years. India did went through a certain period of political uncertainties particularly between 1996 and 1999. But still India still manage to maintain bilateral relation with Russian stabilized. Whatever the new orientation in India’s foreign policy may be in developing relation with the US and other important powers, India too have confirmed clear acknowledgement of importance of Indo-Russian relations based on deep-rooted national tradition and a mutuality of substantive interests. Before assessing the maco-level political and strategic complementarities between India and Russia, it would be pertinent to recount specificities of interst of the two countries in maintaining a close cooperative relationship.


Russian companies are now participating in the construction of nucler and hydel power plants, highways, modernisation and construction of steel plants, mining, oil and gas exploration in Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal as as in the North Eastern stats. Russian companies are also involved in aluminium production, modernisation of railways and construction of water desalination plants and subways in India.

So in the end, we can conclude that India and Russian are not fool to bring pathes in their diplomatic and geopolitical relationship on such tiny issue of delays in refiting of Aircraft carriers and minor cost escalation at the cost of all other Multi-Billion doller projects that I have stated above.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

Oh dear, be care before fuming such a hot air!

There were initial hiccups which theses relation had between 1990 and 1993, but it did not diminish the range and content of Indo-Russian Relation. Indo-Russian relation maintain a basic continuity from their accumulated inheritance stretching back to nearly 40 years. India did went through a certain period of political uncertainties particularly between 1996 and 1999. But still India still manage to maintain bilateral relation with Russian stabilized. Whatever the new orientation in India’s foreign policy may be in developing relation with the US and other important powers, India too have confirmed clear acknowledgement of importance of Indo-Russian relations based on deep-rooted national tradition and a mutuality of substantive interests. Before assessing the maco-level political and strategic complementarities between India and Russia, it would be pertinent to recount specificities of interst of the two countries in maintaining a close cooperative relationship.


Russian companies are now participating in the construction of nucler and hydel power plants, highways, modernisation and construction of steel plants, mining, oil and gas exploration in Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal as as in the North Eastern stats. Russian companies are also involved in aluminium production, modernisation of railways and construction of water desalination plants and subways in India.

So in the end, we can conclude that India and Russian are not fool to bring pathes in their diplomatic and geopolitical relationship on such tiny issue of delays in refiting of Aircraft carriers and minor cost escalation at the cost of all other Multi-Billion doller projects that I have stated above.

Do you think my post suggested that India and Russia are breaking away?.

US influence is creating the twist in Indian policy... This is what i meant.

 

[KENT]

Do you think my post suggested that India and Russia are breaking away?.

US influence is creating the twist in Indian policy... This is what i meant.

See Asif, I am not confronting here Who's right or Who's wrong, just I have explaining the reality, if you go back and care to read to my previous post correctly. Because the way your presented yourself in previous post, one definately inclined to think that way regarding the break-up.

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

See Asif, I am not confronting here Who's right or Who's wrong, just I have explaining the reality, if you go back and care to read to my previous post correctly. Because the way your presented yourself in previous post, one definately inclined to think that way regarding the break-up.

Ok i will be more descriptive now...

The US is trying hard to get into Indian Market not just because defence equipment sales means a lot to them but because this will also in future effect the Russian indian cooperation in Geopolitical Issues, Consider India inclined towards west for Developement in fields of Technology and then see that Russia is getting Isolated in the World...