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 There
has been some running down of Russian equipment in the media
especially a scathing piece in sensational Mail Today by Manoj
Joshi a US trained journalist with half truths. Hence the
controversy has raged in the media with uncalled for criticism
about hardware and equipment supplied from Russia. Some is
true but overall all Russian equipment does well and it is
more lethal than the west so it has limitations. This all
began with the cost of Gorshkov already discussed in this
site and RM AK Antony at Pokhran has assured it will be sorted
out. On 8th Dec the fire power at Pokhran by IAF was top class
and was 80% Russian and such equipment is for war. The same
day at Lima 07 in Malyasia's Langkawi where Vice Admiral R
Suthan FOCinC East a specialist navigator represents India,
took off also with Russian Su-30MKK and Helicopters. Reports
are separately posted by IDU on these two and are full of
information on the Capabilities of the Russian hardware so
it must be discussed in connection with the INS Vikramaditya
( Gorshkov). Some recommend that if cost is doubled then it
should be scrapped. IDU offers the solution.
Before
Indians jump ship and chastise Russia in public we must be
careful as this will anger Putin who is riding a crest. IN
fighter pilots( even IAF Mirage pilots) have always been pro
west for many reasons and in the Navy fighter pilots are a
pampered lot (like the IAF) and have flown most times from
Goa or Captained Western origin ships which are easier than
the Russian ones, any day. And now our younger Navy top guns
have just come from US carriers after training for Mig-29Ks
, with hot dogs and hamburgers aplenty. The MiG -29Ks landing
on Gorshkov is going to be a challenge that will need to be
met. IDU hopes a lobby does not start a movement to scrap
Gorshkov. CNS remarks have raised a hornet's nest and even
USS Kittyhawk was discussed in that Press Briefing in lieu
of the Gorshkov. Media can spoil the broth and AK Antony has
just scrapped the 187 Helicopter deal.
 Russia
is coming out of the dumps and its military factories will
do better if we help and be patient. . It is learnt that the
Gorshkov matter was discussed at highest levels between the
NSAs, and PM with Putin recently in Moscow, as the Shipyard
SEVMASH is in a jam. IDU does not know the details but scrapping
was not an option. The ship's cabling and equipment fit is
definitely in a mess and it is late, and late means more costs.
Gorshkov project is important. The IAF was unsupportive of
the Navy's carrier ambitions earlier, but now realisation
has come that the Indian Navy and the nation needs one, and
so we should work it out and we may have to pay at least $
300 mill extra and take more Russian equipment on board as
Russians feel more comfortable fitting these and scrap some
of the grandiose plans that take root when a large team is
formed to work on a project in NHQ which is thousands of miles
away. The team in Russia is more important and can help. .
A basic carrier flat top that can fly off Mig29Ks and direct
them and safely land them will be worth it for India and it
does not have to become a singing dancing machine. All Vikramaditya
needs to do, is fly the MiGs and land them and other units
can also control them for interception. Later other equipment
like portable Barak etc can be fitted.
Admiral
Bhagwat had suggested to take Gorshkov with engines, arrestor
and hull refurbished in Russia quite cheaply and bring her
to Cochin and refit her out ourselves as Cochin Shipyard Ltd
has expertise of INS Viraat. He also wanted to indirectly
reduce the huge commission Agents get by this method, and
he had experience of spending 14 months in Russia getting
INS Ranjit ready and bringing her back. But vested interests
and Project teams started planning new imported generators
etc, Barak, BEL Command and Control, Indian Sonars and communciations
and IDU can tell viewers such need coordination and much drawing
work and extra trials get involved in out of country equipment.
A good solid basic Gorshkov as a flying platform is the answer
and cost can be cut. The Indian Navy needs a carrier and the
costs can be worked out as Russians at SEVNASH yard have also
made mistakes by ripping out some cabling and neglecting work.
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