Indian Backfires...negative vindaloo!

[steamchicken]

India has signed a deal with Russia (http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,12559,878155,00.html) to lease four Tu22M3 Backfire bombers, two Akula class SSNs and buy the fire-damaged aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

And on the same day (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/2675937.stm) they have conducted their third missile test in 11 days. Not good news, I think, seeing as this brings India nearer to having the full set of nuclear arms including a second strike capability via cruise missiles on the Akulas.

[Woff1965]

The deal on the carrrier and the TU22M4's were not conducted at lightning speed - this has been on the cards intermittently since the mid 90's.

As I recall it fell down on the matter of price several times.

The deal on the submarines isnot unprecedented either as in the 80's India leased a Charlie (2?) SSGN - however it was in such **** state the Indians hardly used it and eventually sent it back to Vladivostock. I bet the Sierra's are not in the best of condition either.

Give the MOD's inability to mothball anything more sophisticated than a penknife I suspect he Gorshkov's refit may actually be more of a keel up rebuild.

[Spot 4]

Another one for Uncle Sams shopping list!

Iraq
North Korea
India

Where next?

[Jackonicko]

I can't think of another State against which UN resolutions are outstanding, which has illegally occupied the territory of another sovereign state, which has a history of aggression against its neighbours and which has weapons of mass destruction.....

Or perhaps I can.....?

[steamchicken]

I was aware that the deal had been bubbling for a while, but now it seems to have happened. One place that could do with more hardware the least!

Jagonicko, I feel Capn Dan might be after you again...