India’s attempt to procure the Admiral Gorshkov may not have been technically bad from the start, but it appears to be so now, without doubt. This Kiev Class aircraft carrier was decommissioned in 1996 after a rather chequered and short history of service. Now, Moscow has told New Delhi that the deal will cost yet another $700 million. The ship will not be delivered before 2012; and the final amount stands at $2.9 billion, a rather heavy price for something Russia was to deliver on August 15, 2008 at a gift price of $1 billion. But even if India is stuck with this bad deal, there’s no denying that we need the Gorshkov (rechristened Vikramaditya).

India’s sole aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, is now a high-maintenance vessel undergoing overhaul to extend its sea life. Viraat was not available to India during Kargil, and is expected to last at best till 2011. Therefore, India needs another aircraft carrier for several reasons. First, the necessity of a blue-water navy capable of influencing events in the Indian Ocean. Second, the strategic shift of the Chinese military from land to sea-based doctrine, coupled with its investments in aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to acquire long legs reaching into the Indian Ocean. Third, the increased vulnerability of global sea lines carrying oil in India’s backyard, as well as threats along our long coastline. Fourth, our sad experience with indigenisation — India’s indigenous air defence ship is still a work in progress and may not be ready before 2014-15. Naval aviation is a highly specialised field and needs big aircraft carriers. Thus, India will have to buy the Gorshkov, and pay up in order to do so.

... contd.