IT8217;S A DEAL. OR IS IT ?

Defence pacts with RussiaDespite the sudden chill in Indo-Russian ties, Moscow remains the biggest supplier of arms to India. Though Israel ...

Defence pacts with Russia
Despite the sudden chill in Indo-Russian ties, Moscow remains the biggest supplier of arms to India. Though Israel is fast catching up8212;it now accounts for 30 per cent of India8217;s arms imports8212;Russia continues to be the primary source of modern weaponry and delivery platforms for all three services. While most projects are running behind schedule, estimates put the 8216;committed8217; and ongoing defence deals between the countries at over 15 billion. However, unlike in the past when Russia was the only willing country to provide arms, the West is fast moving in for a piece of the pie8212;reason, perhaps, for the Navy Chief8217;s outburst against delays. Here is a list of major ongoing defence deals that India has inked with Russia:

The fifth generation fighter aircraft program
The agreement to jointly develop a next generation fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force, the Russian Air Force as well as for exports to other countries was signed in October. India is looking for a next generation stealth fighter to match and exceed the capabilities of the F 22 Raptor, already in service with USA, and the JSF 35, which is being jointly developed by US and UK.
In January, Russia promised that a prototype of the PAK-FA would take its first flight in early 2009. However, the Indian Air Force believes it will take over a decade before the first fighter is ready for induction. While no one is yet talking of any delay in the project, India has a lot of catching up to do as the Sukhoi design bureau has already done most of the work on the project, implying that India8217;s statement of 8216;joint development program8217; is a bit far-fetched.
Cost: Close to 5 billion towards developmental costs and more depending on number of fighters it acquires

IL-76 AWACS
The deal to provide the IAF much-needed airborne early warning systems was signed with three countries. Uzbekistan was supposed to manufacture the aircraft, Russia had to strengthen it for mounting a radar and Israel was contracted to integrate the Phalcon radar on the machine. While the Uzbeks managed to send the IL 76s to Russia on time, Moscow has expressed its inability to strengthen the aircraft as per original schedule, pushing back the delivery date by one year to late 2008.
Cost: 1 billion

Up gradation of MiG 29
Russia also has a huge potential market for upgrading contracts in the Indian defence services. The Indian Air Force had inked a deal to upgrade its 78 MiG-29 fighters. The Rosboronexport Corporation will upgrade all operational MiG 29s in the IAF8217;s inventory and will extend their service life from 25 to 40 years. The navy has also purchased 16 MiG 29 Ks for its aircraft carrier and is expected to repeat the order after the indigenous Air Defence Ship joins service.
Cost: An estimated 800 million

Main Battle Tank T8211;90
The mainstay MBT of the Indian Army is here to stay and close to 1,700 T-90s will eventually enter service over the next decade. India signed a deal to acquire 347 additional T-90s last week to replace its older T 72 and T 55 tanks. The reason: the home grown Arjun had failed to cut the grade. However, there are already murmurs about the follow on contract that gives India the right to manufacture 1,000 tanks in the country. Officials say delays and paucity of key parts is holding up the indigenous manufacturing process.
COST: 1.2 billion

Frigates for the Indian Navy
Other than the Gorshkov, the Indian Navy is getting three modern frigates from Russia. The contract was signed last year and the deliveries deadline is 2012. While work has already begun on the second frigate, reports from Russia indicate the first ship is facing troubles due to design faults.
COST: 1.6 billion

Admiral Gorshkov
Russia8217;s demand for 1.2 billion more for the project and extension of deadline by at least three years showed how bad things really are. The carrier, together with 16 MiG 29 K fighters, was supposed to enter service in 2008 after an extensive refit at the Sevmarsh shipyard. The deal was inked in 2004.
COST: Deal was for 1.5 billion. But with just over a year to go for the delivery of the ship, Russia conveyed that it had grossly underestimated the cost of refurbishing the carrier. The Sevmarsh shipyard director general was fired and new estimates drawn up