Posted on 12/12/2014 4:03:25 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
New Delhi: Russia said it’s ready to lease India more nuclear-powered submarines a day after President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to deepen defence ties. “If India decides to have more contracts to lease nuclear submarines, we are ready to supply,” Russian trade minister Denis Manturov said in an interview in New Delhi today. The vessels would bolster India’s ability to patrol its waters as it seeks to thwart China’s efforts to extend influence in the Indian Ocean.
Russia, whose economy is being pushed toward a recession by sanctions over Ukraine, aims to boost defence sales and deepen its ties to friendlier nations in Asia. “Russia will remain our most important defence partner,” Modi said on Thursday after welcoming Putin to the capital. They discussed a “broad range of new defence projects,” including plans to make one of Russia’s most advanced helicopters in India, he said. India inducted its first nuclear attack submarine from Russia for $1 billion in 2012 under a 10-year contract, which can carry out longer missions and respond faster to threats. It’s fleet of 14 diesel-power submarines are more than a decade old, with half of them commissioned in the 1980s.
“Nuclear-powered submarines have assumed far greater significance and changed the complexion of maritime warfare,” then-defence minister A.K. Antony said the induction ceremony. China fleet India is seeking to build up its naval defences amid growing maritime tensions with China. It sent a nuclear submarine to the Indian Ocean in December for a two-month anti- piracy patrol. The waters are home to shipping lanes carrying about 80% of the world’s seaborne oil.
(Excerpt) Read more at livemint.com ...
Is this Ivan’s attempt at population control? Glub Glub Glub.
Of all the things one can rent, a coffin generally isn’t under consideration
Comes with lead jockstraps for officers and crew...
"Dont miss Crazy Ivan's one-day mega fallout special! Lease a new, fully loaded 2015 Nerpa for only $10,000,000/mo*"!
* Reactor plutonium not included. 5 year basic warranty covers port use and open water trails crewed by dealership only.
lol
Hmm.....the way the ruble is dropping deep I might be able to afford renting a Shark for a long weekend. Interesting possibilities.
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