India to buy spy planes, warships from Russia

NEW DELHI — India has announced that it will buy four spy planes and nine warships from Russia in 2001.

India's naval chief Admiral Sushil Kumar said India plans to commission the Russian destroyer INS Mumbai, six other warships, a corvette and a missile-carrying frigate next year.

He said the navy also plans to purchase four Russian TU-22 longe-range maritime patrol aircraft, which can be equipped with air-to-surface missiles.

Indian is currently testing a naval version of the Prithvi surface missile, which can transport a half-ton warhead up to 250 kilometers. The naval version will possess the capability to carry nuclear warheads and will have an extended range of 300 kilometers.

Military sources also said that India plans to lease a nuclear-powered submarine from Russia, but the United States is pressuring Moscow to refuse the request.

Earlier this year, the Indian navy added two more warships to its fleet. In 2003, the navy will add the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov which is currently being overhauled. Moscow has offered the Admiral Gorshkov free of charge to India, in exchange for a commitment from New Delhi to cover the cost of the overhaul, estimated at $266 million, as well as the costs of fighter jets for the aircraft carrier.

India currently has one British-made aircraft carrier.

In February, the Indian navy will hold international maritime exercises. The five-day exercise called "International Fleet Review" will be held off Bombay. Kumar said that, so far, 22 countries have offered to participate in the exercises.

"We are overwhelmed by the response. Two years ago, I did not expect such a response," Kumar said.

Seventy warships, including a French nuclear submarine are scheduled to sail into Indian waters of the Arabian Sea. Pakistan has not been invited to participate in the exercises.