Indian missiles for Russian subs

The situation around the repair of the Indian "Kilo" sub Sindhuvijay at Russian Zvezdochka triggered a lot of discussions both in Russian and foreign media, although the questions asked are quite different. Western media enjoys blaming the newest Russian Club-S systems and speculates about the “rumours” that Hindustan Shipbuilding intends to install a vertical-launch system of BrahMos onboard the Indian "Kilo" by adding an additional section to the subs.

As BrahMos’ CEO Dr. Silvatanu Pillai told ShipbuildingRu “since the size of the torpedo tubes is small as compared to the diameter of BRAHMOS missile we can not accommodate it in the torpedo tubes, but BrahMos is really ready for launch from vertical launcher which can be put as a plug-in into submarines”. According to some well informed sources at the Severodvinsk based shipyard Russia too would not object if the Indian party insists on introducing alterations into the missile complex, whether it is a new complex or adjustment of the existing Club-S by the Indian specialists.

One has to acknowledge that India is becoming a technically equal partner for some key sectors of the Russian defense complex. However, to our mind this is not the right time for “sensations” about replacing Russian missiles with Indian the ones. Most likely Sindhuvijay will stay with the Clubs. This system remains of interest for India too. Some time ago India became the first customer for Club-S. This system outperformed the rival Harpoon nearly twice.

The peculiar feature of the Russian-Indian relations in the military sphere is that they deal mostly with the cut edge arms and technologies, most of which have just appeared in Russia. No other partner of Russia enjoys such a status. Therefore the “child diseases” in this direction are more frequent and natural.

It is also worthwhile mentioning that the western publications used wordings like “India refused”, whereas Russian sources interpreted the same event as “India wants more tests”. Even though the latter might seem too mild, it should be closer to the truth. Western sources too much play upon words. There is too little said about the sub / missile itself, but more about the general problems of the mutual military-technical cooperation.

Although Sndhuvijay will have to wait for more tests in June 2008, the situation around this contract in no way affected any other contracts between Zvezdochka and the Indian Navy. However, the situation at Zvezdochka should turn on the alarm for the decision makers in Russian high corridors.

The failure of Clubs is hardly technical. Just like in many other cases the whole project suffered from the awful lack of skilled staff at the enterprise. Now very important people in Russia are urgently looking for whosoever from other regions to come to work in Severodvinsk. Was there time to do it earlier? Not everything can be for ever blamed on the notorious 1990s. It is the end of the second period of the President Putin and the “proper patriotic government”, however, all this mess took place in these eight years. Or at least it has not been corrected.