Feature 4
Russian yards exporting on their own terms
Exports have been a lifeline for the Russian naval industry but they have
sometimes also proven something of a poisoned chalice in revealing the
chronic weaknesses of that industry.
I
ndia, arguably Russia’s greatest naval gun self-defence systems and work started Russian intransigence to an old friend
customer, has suffered especially badly, at the Sevmash shipyard. makes the shock to New Delhi even greater,
as is highlighted by the case of the The ship was to have been inducted in yet there have been straws in the wind for
carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which is due to August of this year but by the summer of some time. The most recent was the failure
be renamed INS Vikramaditya. 2007 it was clear there were major problems, of the Klub land-attack missile system being
In January 2004, Russia presented the and in June, India’s defence minister A K installed in some of the 10 Kilo (Project
ship, which was commissioned into the Antony finally admitted publicly that the 877EM/8773) class submarines being refitted
Soviet Navy in 1984, to India, which was deadline would not be met, although he by Russian yards with Indian electronics.
seeking to expand its carrier force and to refused either to specify the nature of the Numerous missile failures during tests on
replace its ageing former Royal Navy ships. ‘problems’ or when they would be resolved. INS Sindhuvijay between September and
But the gift had ‘strings,’ namely that New It soon became apparent that someone had November led New Delhi to refuse to accept
Delhi pay the equivalent of US$625 million severely under-estimated the problems in delivery of the boat until the faults were
to refit and modify the ship. This was part reconditioning the ship. rectified. While this will certainly be done,
of a US$1.5 billion contract, which involved Russia demanded an extra US$1.2 billion meteorological conditions at St Petersburg,
the purchase of MiG-29K combat aircraft, to complete the work, and sought repayment where the work is being carried out, mean
training, and infrastructure. in Euros rather than Dollars. The Indians that even if the new tests are successful it
The ship was to receive new propulsion, demanded that the original contract be is unlikely that the Indians will be able to
power, and air conditioning systems; the maintained and for months the debate has accept the boat until the end of this year at
flight deck is to be converted to Short Take- raged, although an agreement has now been the earliest.
Off and Barrier Assisted Recover (STOBAR) reached. However, even if this does not Many of India’s surface combatants are
configuration with a 14.3° ‘ski-jump’. The encounter further hazards the ship is likely also from Russian yards, including five
Indians also wished to replace the existing to be delivered four years late and will still Kashin (Rajput) class destroyers, 12 Tarantul
weapon systems with six Kashtan missile/ require outfitting in India. (Veer) class, and four modified Pauk
The People’s
Liberation Army
Navy (PLAN) in
China has turned
to Russian yards for
surface ships and
submarines.
Warship Technology May 2008 25
WT May 08 - p25+26.indd 25 23/04/2008 16:17:05
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