India to Spend about USD60 Billion for Fleet Modernization

Modernization of national navy conducted by Indian defense ministry will cost defense budget INR 3 trillions ($60.1 bln) in the nearest few years, reports TNN. This sum will be spent for procurement of surface ships, submarines, deck-based fighters, and coast-based patrol aircraft.

In particular, the mentioned sum includes repair and upgrade of Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov which will serve in Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya. Besides, Russia builds three Project 1135.6 Talwar-class frigates for India. Also, Indian Navy are going to commission three Shivalik-class frigates (two of them are already in service) and other 46 surface ships including 7 destroyers, 4 corvettes, 9 patrol boats, and 4 helicopter carriers.

In addition, it is planned to purchase six Scorpene-class and six Project-75I submarines. The latter ones are supposed to have air-independent propulsion plants and cruise missiles. In 2012 Indian Navy will commission nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant.

Indian Navy also plans to put in service 45 deck-based fighters MiG-29K/KUB, 12 patrol aircrafts P-8I Poseidon, and a number of ASW helicopters and UAVs.

In 2010 Indian defense ministry launched an armament modernization program. Reportedly, it was planned to spend over $200 bln for that purpose within the nearest 12 years; little more than a half of that sum is to be appropriated for Navy and Air Force modernization.

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Source: rusnavy, September 29, 2011