Indian Backfires...negative vindaloo!
Thread Starter
Indian Backfires...negative vindaloo!
India has signed a deal with Russia to lease four Tu22M3 Backfire bombers, two Akula class SSNs and buy the fire-damaged aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.
And on the same day 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.
And on the same day 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.
Fast deal?
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.
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.
Last edited by Woff1965; 20th Jan 2003 at 22:50.
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.....?
Or perhaps I can.....?
Thread Starter
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...
Jagonicko, I feel Capn Dan might be after you again...
