Posted on 03/05/2009 7:14:51 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
New Indian stealth warship halted by US bar on GE
Ajai Shukla / On Board The Ins Shivalik, Mumbai March 06, 2009, 0:08 IST
If the United States ranks near the bottom amongst India’s defence suppliers, Washington’s penchant for imposing sanctions and restrictions has much to do with it. Now, the US appears to have shot itself in the foot again. The Indian Navy chose to power its indigenously designed, cutting-edge stealth warship, the INS Shivalik, with gas turbines from American company General Electric (GE). But even as the Shivalik readies for sea trials, the US State Department has ordered GE to stop all work on the turbines it has supplied.
Vice Admiral HS Malhi (Retired), chairman and managing director of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), which built the Shivalik, has confirmed to Business Standard that GE has received instructions to stop operationalising (making ready for operations) the two new LM 2500 gas turbines that it supplied for the Shivalik. GE has told MDL that there could be up to three months delay, while the new US administration reviews its military relations with several countries. India is not alone in facing this ban; GE has been told to stop work even with close US allies like the UK and Australia.
MDL has clearly been taken by surprise. Says Admiral Malhi, “It is quite surprising that such a letter has been received from GE. They said the (US) State Department could take up to 3-4 months to re-look at relations with these countries. We don’t have that kind of time; we have to deliver the ship to the navy.”
The Shivalik stealth frigate is powered by four engines, in what is termed a CODOG (COmbined Diesel Or Gas) arrangement. Normal operations are powered by two Pielstick diesel engines, supplied by France. The gas turbines kick in for short bursts during combat, when extra power is needed. They are less fuel-efficient than diesel engines, but provide high performance. This is the first time that US turbines have been installed in an Indian-built frigate.
MDL is now exploring whether it can use another GE subsidiary to operationalise the Shivalik’s turbines, without invalidating GE’s warranty. According to Admiral Malhi, “If GE allows us to use one of its licensees, the delay can be cut down to a month. GE is not averse to that, as long as no American person is involved in the work.”
GE has not responded to an email, asking for details of this delay. The US State Department has also ignored a request for information. A spokesperson of the US Embassy in New Delhi has sidestepped the question, replying by email that, “The State Department has not instructed GE in the conduct of this direct commercial sale. Aspects of this sale were subject to export licensing, which is conducted through the State Department.”
When asked to comment specifically on blanket orders from the State Department to GE regarding commercial defence dealings with India, the US Embassy did not respond.
Recent Indian frigates were powered by Russian turbines. But GE’s LM 2500 gas turbines were chosen for three Project 17 frigates (of which INS Shivalik is the first) because of their better reliability. More than one thousand LM 2500 turbines power more than 400 warships in 30 navies across the world. In addition, the LM 2500 is used for power generation in luxury cruise liners like the QE II.
US defence industry sources indicate that GE is upset by the State Department’s directives, which clearly damage GE’s commercial interests. The ban, suggest sources, was imposed by an “over-enthusiastic State Department bureaucrat”, keen to display that the Obama administration was on the ball from the beginning. But in India, the ban is already generating talk of an unwise choice in going for a US engine.
I’m sure no one who supports this decision has ever complained about our trade deficit.
It’s not like GE could use the money or anything.
>> When asked to comment specifically on blanket orders from the State Department to GE regarding commercial defence dealings with India, the US Embassy did not respond.
Y’all Indians would have MUCH better luck if you make out a check payable to the DNC for a few million rupees, and staple it to that purchase order.
Or just leave the “Pay to the order of” line blank and give it to Hillary when she comes to call. Or Bill. Whatever.
“Now, the US appears to have shot itself in the foot again.”
First, you would have to assume it is in the interest of the U.S. to allow India (and therefore Russia), access to this capability and technology.
GE sells to Iran and employs slime like Olberman and Chrissy Sissy Matthews.
It's a threefer! Obama is getting very good at this game!
Much like giving (not selling) F-16s and AMRAAMs to China’s oldest ally.
Someone is good pals with the Saudis and Pakistan.
India is good friends with Israel. My guess is this ship with have Rolls Royce engines.
GE will continue to be allowed to sell to Iran.
GE was selected to sell engines for India’s homebuilt aircraft carrier and is also a top bidder for reengining the light combat aircraft. Not to forget numerous other prospective deals. Lets see where all this goes. And meanwhile, US mil-aid to the Pakis go up.
Nope-it’s almost ready for sea-trials and its two sister ships are probably ready to hit the water. If things are as bad as the writer says, GE’s (and the US’s) chances in the Indian market will become screwed.
What the hell does the State Department have to say about defense contracts? Way to go, Hillary, spit on India, who may be valuable allies.
When do the adults take over in Washington?
and the UK and Australia...
Are you suggesting that we can’t trust Autralia and the U.K. with our technology?
And Oh I forgot-the basic LM-2500 has been around for ages. Even the Chinese have it installed on a one or 2 ships-sold during the 80s. The Russians probably know pretty much everything they need to about them.
No, I'm pointing out that the article indicates that India is only one of our allies being denied American goods by the messiah and his trusty sidekick, Crustypants.
First, you have to realize that the Cold War ended about 20 years ago.
The most under-reported success of George W. Bush’s 8 years in office has been the warming of US-India ties. It is not like India has a dearth of offers for defense cooperation and sales. France, UK and most importantly Israel are more than happy to give the Indians anything that they cannot make on their own or get from their largest supplier, Russia.
The 8-years of warming paid off when India signed a $2.1 billion deal with Boeing for the P-8I Poseidon maritime recon planes - a contract that Russia was really unhappy that India went with the US.
Given that the biggest defense intellectual property danger we face is from China and given that we have been more than generous with Pakistan, it is insane to let some bureaucrat mess up a potential $100 B market in a country that is fundamentally aligned with us and getting closer to our interests by the day, not the least because of a growing Chinese threat.
And maybe throw in a bundle of bidis. :-P
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