Russia, India Sign Carrier Deal as Defense Ministers Discuss Growing Partnership

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia and India on 20 January signed nearly 20 contracts involving the provision of Russian weapons and technology.  
 
Under the most important of the contracts — estimated to be worth $1.5 billion — Russia will upgrade the “Admiral Gorshkov” aircraft carrier and deliver it to India by 2008.  
 
“The Moscow Times” reported on 21 January that India will pay Russia only for the 20-year-old carrier's refurbishment, which will cost around $650 million, plus an additional $730 million for 16 MiG-29 jet fighters and eight Ka-27 and Ka-31 naval helicopters.  
 
Following the signing of the agreements, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, who is in India on a three-day visit, held a joint press conference in New Delhi with Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes. Ivanov said India will pay for the “Admiral Gorshkov” and its aircraft entirely with hard currency, Interfax reported. India does not have docks suitable for the carrier, and if Russia is asked to build them, it could earn an additional $1 billion, NTV reported on 20 January.  
 
Ivanov said Russia has already provided India with more than 130 T-90S tanks, and more are being sent for assembly in India, RIA-Novosti reported on 20 January. Ivanov added that Russia has “nothing against” additional T-90S deliveries, if the Indian side shows interest in them.  
 
Ivanov also noted that Russia has been delivering Su-30MKI jet fighters to India since 1996, and said he and Fernandes discussed the possibility of supplying India with Tu-22 naval bombers, ITAR-TASS reported.