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| The architect of Indo-Russian friendship |
Russia and India have shared a symbiotic relationship benefiting both the parties. During the time of cold war, USSR needed a strong nation through which it could make its presence felt in the Indian subcontinent. While, India needed USSR to maintain an edge over Pakistan, which always enjoyed the support of USA. After the dismantling of USSR, Russia needed India to keep its crumbling economy intact, and India needed Russia for a Soviet era type continuous supply of arms and ammunitions. Hence, the ties between Russia and India continued to remain strong even after the fragmentation of USSR.
Unforgettable moments of Indo Russian friendship
1971, Indo Pak war was on its full swing. That is when USA, the self proclaimed policeman of the world, tried to flex its muscles against India by asking Task Force 74 of the United States Navy to sail towards Bay of Bengal. This misadventure of USA was cut short by our strategic ally USSR, which dispatched its ships and submarines containing nuclear weapons, in support of India. USSR was also instrumental in helping India in its endeavour of securing a place for Bangladesh in the United nations, thereby, sealing all the options for Pakistan to lay a claim on Bangladesh, sometime in future.
In the 80s, India urgently needed an air superiority fighter to counter the F 16s that were supplied to Pakistan by USA. It found the answer in the form of MIG 29s, which were supplied to India on a priority basis, even before the orders of the Soviet Air force had been fully met.
The success story of Su 30 MKI is another testimony of India's strong ties with Russia. India purchased Su 30 from Russia and converted it into an extremely potent bird by fitting Israeli, French and Indian components in it. Before the advent of Su 35, even the Russian Air Force didn't have any fighter that was as advanced as the Indian Su 30 MKI ! Compare this with the American attitude of not sharing the F22 (the best aircraft in its arsenal) even with its closest allies like Japan, UK, Israel & Australia !
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| A fully loaded Su 30 MKI : pride of the Indian Air Force |
"It is understood that in May 1997 an Indian Air Force MiG-25RB overflew Pakistan. The aircraft entered Pakinstani airspace sub-sonically at around 65,000ft and was undetected. Then having overflown and photographed strategic installations near the capital, Islamabad, the aircraft turned back towards India. Perhaps to rub Pakistani’s noses in it, the Foxbat pilot decided to accelerate up to Mach 2 and dropped a large sonic boom as he exited Pakistani airspace. A number of Pakistani F-16As were scrambled, but had insufficient time to make an effective intercept".
Mig 25 Foxbat : The legendary fighter aircraft
India has also been benefited by Russian expertise and help in the field of Space Research. ISRO still uses a Cryogenic engine that is made in Russia. It is believed that many Russian scientists and engineers worked on India's ultra secretive submarine project, and helped India come up with INS Arihant, our first indigenous submarine. Soon Russia shall lease its Akula class nuclear submarine (the quietest and the deadliest class of Russian submarines) to India. The indigenous Kaveri engine is often sent to Russia for tests. There are reports that Russia shall be helping India in building shore-based test facility (SBTF), which is critical for the flight testing of the naval version of LCA.
Today, the Indo Russian defence co-operation have reached a stage, wherein, India supplies to Russia, the components of Su series of fighters, that are exported to third countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
Criticism of Indo-Russian relationship
One defence deal for which Russia is heavily criticised in India is the Admiral Gorshkov deal. This Aircraft carrier has witnessed severe delays and cost escalations. Hence, the critics of Russia do have a reason to be unhappy. However, one must also keep in mind the fact that $ 974 million for an Aircraft carrier (the original price of Admiral Gorshkov), was a throw away price, and in a way, a gesture of goodwill from Russia's end. In an answer to a RTI request, Indian Navy accepted that the cost of Admiral Gorshkov was decided on the basis of a mere "visual examination" (perhaps because of the unparalleled trust between the two sides). At that time, both the Russians and the Indians were under the impression that some amount of repairing would make this vessel good enough to be used. However, only when the work started, did they realise that repairing alone was not enough. Many parts had to be completely replaced. And hence, the Russians were not completely unreasonable in escalating the cost of Admiral Gorshkov.
In the words of Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, an aircraft carrier of the size of Admiral Gorshkov is likely to cost between $3 - $ 4 billion, "and that too understandably without spares, training, infrastructure and documents cost". This is comfortably more than the $ 2.35 billion (with all the support & spares), which the Russians are now charging us for Admiral Gorshkov.
Some people also criticise Russia for the poor supply of spare parts and shoddy after sales service. However, we must keep in mind that after the disintegration of USSR, Russia was fighting for its survival on a daily basis. Those were difficult & uncertain days for Russia. Its economy was in shambles, its resources had got distributed amongst newer nations, there were reports of its scientists fleeing to foreign countries and its factories producing defence products needed to be reorganised & rejuvenated. Under an environment of such mayhem, it is natural for a country's service to take a dip, and Russia was no exception to it. Today, Russia has come out of all its problems and hence, we don't often hear about the problems, which were a norm in the 90s or early 2000s.
Conclusion
Any deal that involves two parties is bound to have its own share of differences and problems. Take for example the Hawk deal or the Mirage 2000 upgrade deal. We did face problems with UK and France respectively. Forget about two countries, even when two friends or brothers get involved in a deal or work together on a project, they do come across some differences. So how can we expect two huge countries like Russia and India to sign deals worth billions of dollars, in a manner that is as smooth as a butter!
India and Russia may have some minor issues at a microscopic level, however, at a holistic level, they enjoy a relationship that is not often witnessed in international politics.
The Indo Russian friendship has withstood many a storm and has seen many good times together. With the progression of time, our friendship has gone from strengths to strengths. From a complete buyer-seller relationship of yesteryears to becoming partners, India and Russia have crossed many milestones together. Today, India and Russia are jointly producing Brahmos and PAKFA, which is the fastest and the most accurate cruise missile of the world, and one amongst the only three fifth generation fighter aircraft of the world respectively.
Brahmos Missiles: A testimony of unrivalled Indo-Russian relationship
Both Russia and India are each other's tried and tested friends. Our relationship is based upon the virtue of equality and upon mutual needs & respect. Such a friendship is bound to get stronger and stronger with the passage of time.
References and related readings:
(1). History of Indo-Soviet military cooperation
(2). Indo-Pakistani war of 1971
(3). 1971 war: How the US tried to corner India
(4). Mig 25 Foxbat
(5). India to get Russian nuclear submarine
(6). HAL to supply components for Sukhoi fighters to Russia
(7). Mededev blasts Gorshkov management, asks them to hurry up
(8). Sam Manekshaw, Hero of 1971 war with Pakistan dies
(9). Gorshkov to cost 2.3 billion after negotiations
(10). Pakistan Air Force
(11). Top LCA-Navy team in Russia for talks
(12). Task Force 74 : Wikipedia
(13). Su 30 MKI : Wikipedia
(14). Mig 29 : Wikipedia
(15). Mig 25 : Wikipedia
(16). Admiral Gorshkov : Wikipedia
