India should go for both the Gorshkov and the Kitty Hawk. However, the Kitty Hawk deal will cost about $7Billion if the the retrofit and price for 65 F-18's are included. In contrast, even paying the Russians the full 1.5B additional they are asking, that would still be a good buy. We do need the two additional carriers. Once concern with the Kitty Hawk is that it would need a whole array of support vessels to protect it that we don't currently have. So, in the deal, India should also ask for the support vessels.
Having said the above, India should be wary of getting into too much reliance with the US as the US always attaches strings in its offers. On a larger view, India has no choice but to develop a strategic relationship with the US in view of China's aggressive designs against India.
RE:Get Both
by subish achamparambil on Feb 28, 2008 07:59 AM Permalink
Gorshkov will only be delivered by 2011 or 2012 .. it is currently under maintainance by russia .. it was given free by Russia .. with similar agreement ... ship will be free .. we will repair and give you gadgets... pay for those .. not ship ... shit !! its something like Gillete match 3 .. where blade is 100rs each and stick is free :-)
RE:Get Both
by Sahadevan KK on Feb 28, 2008 09:51 AM Permalink
Gates is frightening our PM and our reformers. MMS must recognise what were happened Mushraff, Tony Blair, Japan PM, and Australian PM.
