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.
[mappress] Source: rusnavy, September 29, 2011