INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: India is dealing with some problems in carrying back among its diesel-electric submarines after a protracted significant refit
in Russia, which has actually been slapped with significant sanctions and embargoes by the US-led western nations because it invaded Ukraine
in February last year.Initial shipments of the third operational squadron of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air rocket systems from Russia,
however, have now started after some hold-up under the $5.43 billion (Rs 40,000 crore) agreement inked in 2018
With well over 60% of its military hardware being of Soviet or Russian origin, India continues to face alternate payment mechanisms for new
inductions and maintenance of existing inventory in the wake of western sanctions on Moscow
But its being handled, a source told TOI.The Navy in October in 2015 had wanted to set up the sea-lift of its Russian-origin INS
Sindhuratna on an industrial transport dock ship from the Severodvinsk shipyard in Russia to Mumbai.But the force has now changed the tender
or RFP (request for proposition) for transportation of the Kilo-class submarine, with a displacement of 2,441-tonne, from Tromso or any
The submarine needs to have preferably come straight back from Russia
However due to the fact that of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, there are some transportation and other problems
The strategy now is to sail it to a Norwegian port and then bring it on a sea-lift vessel to Mumbai, another source said.The Navy wants INS
Sindhuratna to be filled on a transport ship next month, with the subsequent 35-day transit to Mumbai planned by means of the Cape of Good
Hope.INS Sindhuratna, which had a significant mishap in February 2014 that killed 2 officers, had actually gone for the medium
refit-cum-life extension upgrade at Severodvinsk much prior to the Russia-Ukraine war erupted nearly a year ago.INS Sindhuratna is the
second of four old Kilo-class submarines earmarked to go through the modernization upgrade, each costing around Rs 1,400 crore, to stem the
major deficiency in Indias standard undersea combat fleet
Apart from the 5 new French-origin Scorpene or Kalvari-class submarines, with the last getting set for shipment by Mazagon Docks this year
under the Rs 23,000 crore deal, the Navy is entrusted just six old Russian and 4 German HDW submarines.On the S-400 front, India has till
now managed to ward off sanctions under the US law CAATSA (Countering Americas Adversaries through Sanctions Act), which seeks to avoid
nations from buying Russian weapons
IAF is slated to get 5 S-400 squadrons, which can discover and then obstruct hostile fighters, tactical bombers and missiles at a variety of
While the very first S-400 squadron is based in northwest India to cater for both Pakistan and China, the 2nd is deployed specifically for
the northern borders in the eastern sector, as was previously reported by TOI.India, nevertheless, has actually scrapped the long-pending
offer for 48 extra Mi-17 V5 medium-lift helicopters in addition to delayed the acquisition of 21 more MiG-29 and 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters
