For Gorshkov, Navy pilots head to US for training. (Indian pilots to train for Russian carrier)

The Indian Express ^ | December 24, 2005 | SHIV AROOR

[sukhoi-30mki]

Error in article-the Indian Navy operated SeaHawk fighter & Alize ASWconventional take-off jets off it's carrier over 40 years ago,though these can't be compared with modern systems.

[GeronL]

We need pics, small ones though

[GSlob]

And how has russian navy trained its pilots? By definition they must have had the necessary facilities [at all levels] for doing so, and now "Russia has no facilities for intermediate deck-based flight training." Something does not mesh.

[CarrotAndStick]

It's been a long time, Sukhoi! Welcome, and a Merry Christmas to you!

[adamsjas]

Something does not mesh.

The other thing that does not mesh is why we would want to provide this training at any price.

They didn't buy the ship from us. They didn't buy the planes from us. No other Navy in the world comes close to the US Navy for carrier operations, and giving that edge away seems silly even if they are our friends for today.

[iowamark]

The Indian navy could hardly pose any treat to the US.

On the contrary, India's Muslim extremist enemies are also our enemies.

[armydawg1]

Lets get this straight, the Russians build aircraft carriers but cant train pilots on how to fly to and from them? Thats why they have never been able to project strength far from the Motherland.

#2: The Indians are going to spend 6 months training at Pensacola and then going to Russia for further training? Imagine the culture shock.

[MARKUSPRIME]

India is playing to many sides. Usually this type of karma has a huge backfire in the future.

[Grzegorz 246]

I think that Russian navy doesn't have aircraft carriers anymore.

[uglybiker]

India is more worried about China than anybody else.

The U.S. will not give its carrier technology to anyone. Russia has not only the technology, and the capacity, they could really use the cash.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The other thing that does not mesh is why we would want to provide this training at any price.

Someone has made the calculation that a capable Indian military is in the interest of the U.S. A stable, powerful country in south Asia without expansionist designs would certianly be a boon to world peace.

[Aggie Dad]

"...I think that Russian navy doesn't have aircraft carriers anymore..."

Yep. Either mothballed or sold to places like India.

[BobS]

What's strange is Russia builds the hardware and cannot train people on how to use it. How do they know if it works in the first place?

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

India is not interested in expanding into the Pacific (at America's expense) like Communist China, as evidenced by its own enormous naval build-up currently underway. No doubt a policy decision has been made to help the Indians improve their Navy, specifically their carrier capabilities, so that they can help the U.S. Navy keep the ChiComs contained on the high seas.

[Heatseeker]

I'll probably get flamed but I think this makes sense. The Indians aren't stupid, they know learning carrier ops from the Russians would be like learning to drive from a blind man; and by training here we get to know their strengths (and weaknesses) and thus working with them in future will be made easier.

And the way Pakistan is going, we will be working with them.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Indian and the US are moving closer together in both the commercial and strategic spheres. If you look at a map, having a strong friendly Indian Navy with carrier capabilities, astride the Indian Ocean, is a great help to US strategic interests.

I didn't think this up, other threads on FR have spoken to this.

[ReformedBeckite]

I think that Russian navy doesn't have aircraft carriers anymore.

Did they ever have any in operation.

[csvset]

Did the Russians ever master Replenishment at sea (RAS)?

Military Sealift Command (MSC) underway replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) provides fuel and supplies to the guide missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) and Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during a replenishment at sea (RAS) evolution, while MSC combat stores ship USNS Spica (T-AFS 9) steams alongside using helicopters to conduct a vertical replenishment (VERTREP).

[Jeff Head]

Check out the pics and description of this Indian Carrier, Vikramaditya, by cicking on the pic below:

Do the same for any other current, world-wide aircraft carrier, or large deck amphibious assault ship at my:

[Jeff Head]

Ooops...the specific page for the Vikramadaditya can be found by:

CLICKING HERE