Rakesh wrote:If it is the Samara, it will the Improved Akula-I which is similar to INS Chakra (ex-Nerpa).
If it is the Bratsk, it will the among the first batch of seven Akulas. The Bratsk is actually the 7th Akula I.
I think only one unit will be rebuilt from the Samara and Bratsk, picking the better of the parts, or replacing with new spares if neither works; let's call it the Bramara.
The lease amount would be spread over several years covering the refit costs, and possibly 10+ years of service; and could also include (I hope) the lease extension for the Chakra-2; in addition to "consultancy" by the Russians for our SSN and SSBN programs.
Regarding CAATSA, this could be argued as an extension of the deterrence umbrella we already have with the Chakra-2 by means of Chakra-3, and therefore no further harm to US interests. Of course the firewall between the Soviet and Western systems is firmly in place, as it should be since this is a strategic/deterrence nuclear asset, i.e. the firewall is as much in our interest to have as it is for the US.
Karan M wrote:And these penny pinchers will just fork over $3 Bn without any reason? No quid pro quo? Sure, if that's what folks want to believe in..
Exactly! With elections round the corner, this money would be a lot more useful if spent locally; nobody is more aware of it than the ruling party, and they will be loath to waste any resource. Although it can be argued that the 3B$ is a future spend, in installments, and possibly starting only next year.