Russia is not a reliable defense supplier anymore

Rahul Bedi of Jane’s Defense Weekly makes an interesting observation in an article “Beware the American military embrace” in the September 19, 2008 issue of India Abroad. He further elaborates, ” It is anticipated that over the next four years, India’s outlay on defense procurements will be in excess of $30 billion, and further that this figure will climb to $80 billion by 2020. Americans are very keen to cash in on this market, which covers the whole range of equipment for India’s navy and air force.” We are all aware of the historical perspective on ‘Indo-Russian Security Relations’ but that was more than 50 years back. India is no more as vulnerable as it used to be viz-a-viz Kashmir at the United Nations. I am not suggesting for even a moment that we do not need a close relationship with Russia. What I am absolutely convinced about is that we need not be as suspicious of the United States as we have been for the past 61 years. The situation has changed since 1998. The US does not take India for granted any more. They still try to push us around but that is more out of habit than any reasonable conviction. Besides, there are 2.7 millions Indians living in the United States who are quite influential and resourceful. They are extremely patriotic when it comes to India’s national interests. On the flip side there are only 15,000 Indians living in the Russian Federation and with absolutely no leverage what so ever.

Indo-Russian bilateral relations have deteriorated since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Russia does not consider India as an ally anymore and frowns upon the growing Indo-US relationship. Russia has reneged on it’s contract to supply the Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov for $1.5 billion by 2010 and is now demanding $3.4 billion for the same package with the delivery in 2014. This is not an isolated case of breach in contract. Russian misbehavior can be seen across the board. Can you imagine this kind of reneging of a contract with an American company? The media would be all over the place and the supplier would pay a heavy public relations price in the international defense market. Unfortunately for India, its bureaucracy is littered with Soviet era apologists. There are enough Russian Agents in the ministry of defense in India, ready to steer any prospective defense contract towards their patron. It is time we give careful consideration to our national interests rather than pander to the Russian whims. Ofcourse, there is some down-side to dealing with American suppliers as well. They would only deal with countries that honor American laws and India does not necessarily conform to US laws. To overcome this hurdle, the US government has instituted a government to government initiative called “Foreign Military Sales” program. This FMS negociates the defense deals for India and other countries with the ‘Military Equipment Suppliers’ for a service charge of 1-2 percent of the total value of the deal. Every thing is above board and makes it so much easier and faster. India must stop being over suspicious and grow up.