Date:19/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/19/stories/2003011903440100.htm

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Gorshkov deal by April

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW JAN.18. The long-awaited package deal for the acquisition of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier, as well as nuclear-capable long-range bombers and submarines may be sealed by April.

"We have agreed that all efforts will be made to complete the three contracts by the end of March," the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said at the end of the third annual session of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) for Military-Technical Cooperation. Mr. Fernandes conceded that the Gorshkov price remained the sticking point, but said there was "a sense of urgency on both sides to implement the deals".

Under an intergovernmental agreement signed several years ago, the acquisition of the 44,500-tonne Kiev-class Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier was tied to the supply of four Tu-22M3 Backfire strategic bombers and two Akula-class nuclear-powered submarines.

A protocol of the IRIGC signed on Friday also provides for the joint research, design and development of the fifth generation combat aircraft. ``Initial steps in this direction are to be taken in the first quarter of this year,'' Mr. Fernandes told the Indian media.

The IRIGC also decided to set up service centres in India for the logistic and product support, including the manufacture of spares, of Russian-built combat aircraft, and a facility at Visakhapatnam for medium repair and modernisation of Russian-built submarines.

Following the successful joint development of the Brahmos anti-ship missile, the two sides decided to increase capital investment in the joint venture handling the project by $50 million to $300 to meet the production costs.

Mr. Fernandes said the first of three stealth frigates Russia was building for the Indian Navy would be delivered by the end of April. The induction of the Krivak-class frigates has been delayed due to problems with a missile system specially designed for the vessel. India will purchase three more frigates of the same type and Amur-class diesel submarines from Russia.

Joint naval manoeuvres

India and Russia will hold their first joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea later this year. The Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Ivanov, proposed the idea to Mr. Fernandes during their meeting in Moscow on Thursday.

"It will take us three-four months to prepare the games,'' Mr. Fernandes said.