NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Sharad Pawar’s visit to Russia beginning September 6, will be a politico-military mission, While defence acquisitions are likely to focus on naval equipment, including nuclear-powered submarine, it is the geo-political confabulations and terms of payment which will determine the shape of future defence cooperation.
Pawar’s itinerary includes visit to Murmansk on the Bareng sea, where the Russian north fleet is stationed. Among the shipyards here, are housed numerous nuclear submarines, The delegation is also scheduled to spend a day in St. Petersburg, which has Isoranaval and Sudomekh shipyards. Besides being a command headquarters, St. Petersburg, which is the erstwhile Leningrad, has a services college and training center. The Navy has evinced strong interest in acquiring a nuclear powered submarine on leash, like the earlier Soviet Charlie The submarine, which was returned when its three-year leash expired in January 1991, The indigenous Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program, launched in 1984 for building a nuclear-propelled submarine, is unlikely to fructify till the end of the century. Moreover, there are long-existing reports that Pakistan is seeking a Chinese “Hans” class nuclear submarine.
The other naval equipment which is likely to be sought includes submarines-launched missile systems and electronic warfare equipment. While broader aspects of likely purchases will be discussed, the details are understood 10 be explored during the forthcoming visit of naval chief Admiral L. Ramias to Russia in October this year,
Informed sources are, however, skeptical of acquiring a Russian nuclear-powered submarine. Given the present world realities where Russia is dependent on Western it is unlikely that Moscow would agree on this deal against Washington’s wish. Although nuclear-powered submarines employ nuclear fuel only for propulsion, which is exempt under the non-proliferation treaty, such submarines provide wide strategy teach, which may be unacceptable to the US.
An added interest of the minister’s program will be a visit to the T-80 tanks, which is India’s main battle tank, as they have more armour and can fire missiles.
The delegation, which includes the Defence secretary N,N. Vohra and secretary defence production Raghunathan are expected to have detailed discussions with their counterparts including Russian defence minister Pavel Grachev, on both the need for regular defence spares for Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) equipment with India and Burbulis proposals.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 18, 1992
