I just heard read that India has already made payment of an additional $102 million to Russia to speed up Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier. This is over and above Moscow’s fresh demand for $2.9 billion for the warship. With the release of additional funds last week, India has now paid a total of $602 million for Admiral Gorshkov, purchased in 2004 for $964 million.
This is one deal that was fraught with flaws from the moment it was signed. Firstly this aircraft carrier was de-commissioned by Russia themselves ‘cause of severe performance and safety issues. Later, it was sent for a refit at Sevmash, which was originally a submarine building yard. And 2007 onwards, Russia started making additional demand for the repair and refit project, citing cost over-runs due to increasing work.
To add to misery, India has already bought 19 Mig29Ks for operating them from this aircraft carrier. These fighter jets are all reaching technological obsolescence.
As a part of the same deal, India is believed to be leasing a Nuclear (Akula class –II) submarine from Russia. This same submarine was involved in a terrible mishap near Japan when around 20 of its members died of what was later described as poisoning caused by accidental triggering of fire-suppression system filled with toxic Freon gas.
I think Russia is trying to rip India off and we are gladly playing ball.
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