Indian Naval Discussion

Jamal K. Malik · Post by **Jamal K. Malik** » 12 Apr 2010 21:58

HCC gets Rs 608-crore naval dockyard project

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 13 Apr 2010 05:21

Gorshkov Deal : Navy Officer in Honey-Trap ?
The Times of India

Love, HoneyPots & Recruitment -> Clandestine HUMINT Asset Recruiting - Wikipedia

arun · Post by **arun** » 13 Apr 2010 06:30

^^^ As I said earlier on this page while posting DNA’s version of the same story; if true, Russia may have leveraged satisfying Commodore Sukhjinder Singh’s libido into a USD1.356 Billion windfall for herself.

It may be prudent for Russia to voluntarily provide India a USD1.356 Billion grant.

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 13 Apr 2010 06:42

When the Gorky fiasco broke out in 2008, i was wondering what our Naval officers looking after the project were doing till then, till the last minute. Becoz, the news came sudden and both Govt and Navy expressed astonisment at the Russia's stand and the ransom amount. Probably we may have some answers to that question now, i guess.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 13 Apr 2010 06:50

Zipper was made in china I bet.

Kidding aside, there should be enough meetings minutes to provide enough "proof".

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 13 Apr 2010 06:51

can one person really do so much damage alone? I doubt it. One needs to dig deeper to see if there really is something behind the officer's fling.

vina · Post by **vina** » 13 Apr 2010 06:53

Juggi G wrote:Gorshkov Deal : Navy Officer in Honey-Trap ?
The Times of India

NATASHA

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Apr 2010 07:00

from the same TOI link

While holding that the BoI report will be out in “a day or two”, Navy officials contended that the likelihood of Commodore Singh “compromising” the Gorshkov price negotiations were “negligible”.

“Preliminary indications are that the involvement has been at a personal level. He was the juniormost of the nine-member commercial negotiations committee,” said an official.

“Moreover, he had already been posted to the quality assurance wing when the actual work on the refit price was done in the latter half of 2009,” he added.

Vivek K · Post by **Vivek K** » 13 Apr 2010 07:35

And to think that the Russians and EDITED were lambasting Indians bargained way too much which was somehow the reason for the cost escalation. This is why we must buy domestic weapons and learn to develop tactics and force multipliers to increase their effectiveness. Or else be subject to the libido of every Tukaram, Dayanand, and Harinder.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 13 Apr 2010 07:48

thread cleaned up. this might be the last time I'm going to clean up threads without warning people who think normal forum rules don't apply to them and who think nothing about derailing a perfectly functional thread with their pet peeves.
I'm still amazed why it was not possible to shift the discussion to the strat forum ? was that so difficult ?
kavu, putnanja and indranilroy, please consider this an unofficial warning.
Rahul.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 13 Apr 2010 10:58

Kanson wrote:When the Gorky fiasco broke out in 2008, i was wondering what our Naval officers looking after the project were doing till then, till the last minute. Becoz, the news came sudden and both Govt and Navy expressed astonisment at the Russia's stand and the ransom amount. Probably we may have some answers to that question now, i guess.

Let us not get into hyperspeculation mode here based one line of news item and bring our biases here....

shukla · Post by **shukla** » 13 Apr 2010 11:40

Update on Indian Aircraft Carriers & Submarine production and procurement.. Interview with Admiral Verma.

(posting relevant bits of the interview here, for those not registered for access to the defenseworld website.)

The Indian Navy has reportedly asked for more information on the Queen’s class aircraft carrier programmers that Britain is currently implementing. Also, in context of the continuing indecision on the Vikramaditya’s final price, where does the Navy’s carrier program stand today?

Admiral Nirmal Verma: Work on the Vikramaditya is proceeding quite well with additional manpower having been assigned to the project by the yard. Contract negotiation for finalizing the revised prices as well as other terms and condition of the Vikramaditya are currently in progress. The construction and trial schedule envisages for her induction into the Indian Navy by 2012 and the issue is being addressed at every level of the bilateral structures between India and Russia.

The immediate impact of the delayed induction of the Vikramaditya will be that we will have to maintain Viraat at her current operational-capability for a bit longer than we had initially anticipated. Fortunately, the material state and role-worthiness of the Viraat continue to be good, thanks to the unflagging effort put in by successive sets of the ship’s crew and their civilian and uniformed colleagues at the Naval Dockyards. The Cochin Shipyard and a variety of shore-based staff-planning and logistics organizations, all of which have been sustaining a tempo of work and commitment that is nothing short of remarkable.

At the same time, we will need to ensure that work on our first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), which is currently under construction at the Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, continues satisfactorily. As we speak, fabrication of up to 10,000 tonnes of hull structure and 1000 tonnes of hull assembly in dry dock has been completed. Major equipment for the ship are in various stages of procurement. As you are aware, the keel laying was done by the Raksha Mantri on 28 February 2009 and the first launch is envisaged by 31 October 2010. Delivery is expected to be towards the end of 2014.

You would know that the Queen’s-class of carriers are expected to be ready only after 2016,as such by then we should have Vikramaditya and IAC-1 operational with IAC-2 well under consideration. I do not immediately see any reason for us to explore foreign acquisitions at that time when the impetus is increasingly on indigenization.

The Indian Navy’s submarine arm has had to deal with delays, especially the Scorpene-class submarines. Please update us on the state of the submarine arm today, in terms of refits, upgrades and acquisition, especially plans to offset delay in the Scorpene project?

Admiral Nirmal Verma: Series- production of a major platform such as the Scorpene-class submarine is normally viewed as a ‘project.’ The consolidated time line of the ‘project’ has to be constantly kept under review. Sometimes one or another stage of a project may tend to be marginally delayed, without the overall time line of the project as a whole being affected. Having said that, there has been a delay in delivery of the first submarine of the Scorpene-class that is now expected to be delivered by 2014 entailing a delay of about two years; however, MDL has assured the Navy that the remaining five submarines will be delivered at regular intervals thereafter within the overall project period.

Timely completion of the project, notwithstanding the initial delay would be a tribute to the managerial and technical skills of the Mazagon Docks Limited along with their collaborators. The delay would lead to certain erosion of our submarine force levels. Meanwhile, every effort is being put in to ensure better availability of “present asset”, aided by the fact that most of our older submarine have been modernized in recent years, and upgraded in the term of their weapon-sensor suites as well as their crewsupport systems.

As far as the second line of submarines is concerned, responses to our global ‘Request for Information ‘(RFI) have been received. The government had set up a committee to examine to entire scope of activities to progress the 30 year ship building plan approved by the CCPA in 1999. The committee has submitted its inputs, which are being examined with the thoroughness that they deserve. The RFP will be issued upon deliberations of the report at the highest levels of the acquisition chain.

http://www.defenseworld.net/go/

Manish_Sharma · Post by **Manish_Sharma** » 13 Apr 2010 13:39

Instead of Carriers, I always liked Shankar's idea of having 1 Il78 based awacs split half as awacs and half as refueller + 30 Sukhois based on land, for navy. This way we save some money from the ship, while refuller cum awacs Il78 can take care of long distance flying over sea. We should go for more subs instead of carriers.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 13 Apr 2010 13:40

Being entertained well is "par for the course".All manufacturers will provide you with entertainment and other delectable offers.One must remember the case of a RAW officer,heavily into Lankan afffairs who fell for the CIA's honey trap (a so-called Pan-Am stewardess) and was caught.The diplomatic corps is not immune from this disease and tales of babudom's excesses in Delhi's 5* hotels is legendary.In this case the big Q is how important was this officer's role in the entire deal.What were his responsibilities?A price for such a large deal will never depend upon just one man's bean counting,that too such a junior officer.A whole team of bean counters and scrutinisers go into every aspect and finally the CAG scutinises it too.The Gorshkov deal has had years of bean counting and controversy about the price and delay and it sounds ridiculous that the price depended upon one soul!

From the report there also appears to be another possibility,that he was "trapped" by another entity who wanted to know what the specifications and modifications were being carried out on the carrier,as there was speculation in the international media a few years ago that the Gorshkov was thought being modified to carry part of India's nuclear deterrent,either through the aircraft aboard or by land attack missiles in manner as installed aboard the Kuznetsov.

PS:A report on a kickback for the Greek German sub deal.Rememnber the French kickbacks to Pakis for their Agostas too? Corruption appears rampant everywhere.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_ar ... 010_116293

K_Rohit · Post by **K_Rohit** » 13 Apr 2010 17:09

Whats the latest on the armament on the P28?

The BR site states: "Armament is to include a license-built Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun in a stealth mount and the usual assortment of weapons similar to what is found on the Talwar Class and Project 17 frigates including a Klub-N missile system, two Larsen & Toubro built derivatives of the RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher and Larsen & Tubro built torpedo launchers. Revati, the naval variant of the DRDO-made Central Acquisition Radar (CAR), which is capable of tracking 150 targets at ranges of 200 km, is a confirmed sensor aboard the vessel. Hangar and aviation facilities will also be standard features."

Is this still on? My questions:
1) Is the Klub-N really included? I thought there are no missiles on P28
2) Will they also have the Barak+AK630 combo?

Another question: Now that the Rajputs have been used for Brahmos trials (inclined tubes on one and VLS on the other). Should we not update this on the BR page?

Do we know which ones have been modified with what (from the other 3)?

Sanku · Post by **Sanku** » 13 Apr 2010 17:17

Ajatshatru wrote:
Being entertained well is "par for the course".
No amount of spin distracts from the core issue of ethical standards, perhaps, having being flouted by Ruskies if this news is indeed true.

Just to be exact, so far the only NEWS is that a Navy officer had a fling and some one got hold of photos and leaked it period.

The rest is speculation, GoI has already said that prima-facie the event was a personal transgression.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 13 Apr 2010 18:35

shanksinha wrote:^^Dear Rahul M just out of curiosity, the above referenced Venerable CAG report sites that the CIWS failed during the trials. As far as I recall Vikramaditya was supposed to have multiple Kashtan mounts (with a combination of Barak possibly) for the CIWS role. Does this mean that the Kashtan failed?
It’s a pretty much validated system that is already operational on Talwars and will also appear on second Krivak III batch. If the system really failed why is IN continuing with Kashtans?
Also what kind of trial was this? Was it a special one for Vik cause IN had already tested (and indeed is using) Kashtans previously.

-Thanks for ur time.

boss I don't remember having heard that the vik was going to get the barak ? might be wrong though.
if you remember kasthan trials for the talwar had failed the first time and the IN officer who refused to take delivery of it was crushed to death by a truck in delhi under mysterious circumstances.
as for if the trials are a separate one for vik, it does appear to be the case from the report.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 13 Apr 2010 18:41

Rahul M wrote: boss I don't remember having heard that the vik was going to get the barak ? might be wrong though.
if you remember kasthan trials for the talwar had failed the first time and the IN officer who refused to take delivery of it was crushed to death by a truck in delhi under mysterious circumstances.

I think it was Shtil trials.

Kersi

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 13 Apr 2010 18:43

could be, I might have mixed up.

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 13 Apr 2010 18:57

rohitvats wrote:
Kanson wrote:When the Gorky fiasco broke out in 2008, i was wondering what our Naval officers looking after the project were doing till then, till the last minute. Becoz, the news came sudden and both Govt and Navy expressed astonisment at the Russia's stand and the ransom amount. Probably we may have some answers to that question now, i guess.
Let us not get into hyperspeculation mode here based one line of news item and bring our biases here....

Bhai saab,

I never understood this Gorky situation completely. Maybe you are having the answer.

As per the Original contract before the fiasco, it was to be delivered by 2008. I never heard till 2008 what happened to the Gorky, the progress, what percentage, howmuch work completed. Later when the news broke out in 2008 abt the extra work, then Naval Chief issued statements like, she will be delivered by the end of year, starting of the year, in this quarter like that. That put the question, what was happening to the Gorky till then, does the Navy HQ knows abt the progress ?

As a lay public, i have lingering doubt, if the ship is supposed to be delivered by 2008, why no one from our side(Naval officers) raised abt work creep or the lack of progress till 2008, atleast i haven't read any such thing as news? If she has to be delivered by 2008, even if there is a delay, atleast there should be 75 to 90% of the work must have completed, right? What was the % of work completed before 2008? Does the Navy knows the delay and only the public doesnt know ? If that is the case, why the then Navy Chief made statements that the delay will be only in months and expecting the carrier by 2009 or so?

Later i heared reports like work was not started at all till 2008, except some basic things...which is true ? And then the embezzlement by Sevmash director and his terimination after the Gorky incident. All this doesnt give any rosy picture.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 13 Apr 2010 19:32

vina wrote:
Singha wrote:seems to me their threat perception is more of air strike than submarines.

Yeah.. Tailored to their threat perception. Basically to provide forward air cover in a cross taiwan straits op, where the primary threat will be from air I guess.

Despite all the bluster, their fleet is not geared towards taking on Unkil or any serious Naval power. The Japanese navy will wipe the floor with the Chinese boats.

If the Japanese Navy can wipe the floor with Chinese boast, what can the USN do ?

Have you read Tom Clancy's SSN ? Absurd novel !! But it shows their weakness against subs.

Chinese's threat perception seems to be is air strike. Even then, if USAF / USN go for an all out attack, God help PLAN

But against USN subs, I think even God would be helpless in helping Chinese

K

PS Do the Chinese believe in "God", a perception known all over the world

shanksinha · Post by **shanksinha** » 13 Apr 2010 20:47

Appreciate the clarification, Rahul M and Kersi D sahab.

The CAG report seems absurd and a prime example of accountants evaluating something they cant understand. Kashtan is an old system and operation on numerous platforms (russian and Indian). Same goes for Shtil too, I mean if the system was such a dismal faliure it wouldnt find its way on Project 17 and other platforms (the case of sundry IN officers getting crushed by trucks notwhithstading). I have a lot of respect for IN and its procurement policies.

Thanks anyway.

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 13 Apr 2010 21:56

Sanku wrote:
Ajatshatru wrote:
No amount of spin distracts from the core issue of ethical standards, perhaps, having being flouted by Ruskies if this news is indeed true.
Just to be exact, so far the only NEWS is that a Navy officer had a fling and some one got hold of photos and leaked it period.

The rest is speculation, GoI has already said that prima-facie the event was a personal transgression.

Correct. And also please note that there has been no news of the said woman being a spy or in employment of arms industry. Let us wait till the facts come out. There is already talk of court martialing the officer for "conduct unbecoming of an officer". So more info will definitely trickle out. Till then, let us not make wild assumptions.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 13 Apr 2010 22:28

shanksinha wrote:Appreciate the clarification, Rahul M and Kersi D sahab.

The CAG report seems absurd and a prime example of accountants evaluating something they cant understand. Kashtan is an old system and operation on numerous platforms (russian and Indian). Same goes for Shtil too, I mean if the system was such a dismal faliure it wouldnt find its way on Project 17 and other platforms (the case of sundry IN officers getting crushed by trucks notwhithstading). I have a lot of respect for IN and its procurement policies.

Thanks anyway.

Shtil is used by IN on the 'Delhi' class ships. The "same" system gave problems on 'Talwar' class. The reason cited was EM interference from other emitters located nearby i.e. on the ship itself. IN accepted after suitable trials.

So I conclude that
There is no problem as such with Shtil but its integration / interference with other systems.
A system working "perfectly" on one platform may have problems on another platform

Apparently plug-and-play does not work perfectly !!

K

WHO IS THIS KERSI D SAHAB. ADMINS BANISH HIM TO THE PROMISED LAND OF AFGHANISTAN OR SOME OTHER SUITABLE PLACE

shanksinha · Post by **shanksinha** » 13 Apr 2010 23:17

^^ A little respect never hurt anyone Kersi D sahab.

Anyway I doubt the Shtil system is part of the Vik armament package. I think we are most likely to have smaller range CIWS type systems like Kashtan and maybe Barak (as IN loves it).

On a similar note do you have any idea if the systems on Shivalik and Talwar class are indeed using the new Grizzly missile ( 9M317 rocket with 45km range) as oppsed to the older Gadfly missiles on Delhi.

-Thanks

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 13 Apr 2010 23:43

Bhai saab,

I never understood this Gorky situation completely. Maybe you are having the answer.

Nope, I don't. And neither do I claim to otherwise...But I'm sure not going to base my opinions about half baked news article in Indian media. Unless, I want to believe in them as they support my POV...

As per the Original contract before the fiasco, it was to be delivered by 2008. I never heard till 2008 what happened to the Gorky, the progress, what percentage, howmuch work completed. Later when the news broke out in 2008 abt the extra work, then Naval Chief issued statements like, she will be delivered by the end of year, starting of the year, in this quarter like that. That put the question, what was happening to the Gorky till then, does the Navy HQ knows abt the progress ?

I guess only the IN can answer that question or someone very closely associated with the programme. You sure are not going to find those answers in public domain.

As a lay public, i have lingering doubt, if the ship is supposed to be delivered by 2008, why no one from our side(Naval officers) raised abt work creep or the lack of progress till 2008, atleast i haven't read any such thing as news?

How do you know they did not? Because an article or news snippet did not appear in print/electronic media?

If she has to be delivered by 2008, even if there is a delay, atleast there should be 75 to 90% of the work must have completed, right? What was the % of work completed before 2008? Does the Navy knows the delay and only the public doesnt know ? If that is the case, why the then Navy Chief made statements that the delay will be only in months and expecting the carrier by 2009 or so?

I honestly cannot answer this question as I'm not informed on the topic...but if you can provide link on the above claims by IN, it will be great. If you cannot, I'll dig them up myself...

Later i heared reports like work was not started at all till 2008, except some basic things...which is true ? And then the embezzlement by Sevmash director and his terimination after the Gorky incident. All this doesnt give any rosy picture.

This does not give rosy pics about what? That IN was hiding something from the people and GOI and Gorky is case of one serious mismanagement? And the way you've worded your queries, you've actually insinuated serious charges against IN - for unless, every IN officer from CNS to lowest rank was sleeping with Natashas, such a serious 'lapse' in judgement could not happened and nation not taken for a ride...

Kartik · Post by **Kartik** » 14 Apr 2010 00:06

A glimpse at the future of the IN's MPA fleet. the first P-8A (not 8I) Poseidon was delivered recently to the USN at Patuxent River for testing and evaluation.

Flight Global article

Kanson · Post by **Kanson** » 14 Apr 2010 02:06

rohitvats wrote: Nope, I don't. And neither do I claim to otherwise...But I'm sure not going to base my opinions about half baked news article in Indian media. Unless, I want to believe in them as they support my POV...

then on what basis, you termed my post as "hyperspeculative", if you dont know abt the issue ?

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 14 Apr 2010 03:37

Kanson wrote: then on what basis, you termed my post as "hyperspeculative", if you dont know abt the issue ?

Because the conclusion you'd reached in your post and I qoute,"Probably we may have some answers to that question now, i guess", is pure speculation which is not supported by any fact...The only objective part of the news about IN officer and Russian lady is this and I qoute, "Senior naval officer, closely associated with the contentious project to acquire aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov from Russia, which saw several twists and turns, is now in the dock for alleged improper personal conduct. The Indian Navy is on the verge of completing a high-level board of inquiry (BoI) against Commodore Sukhjinder Singh for alleged ‘‘loose moral conduct’’ while he was posted in Russia from 2005 to 2007. This came after certain objectionable photographs of Commodore Singh apparently surfaced around a fortnight ago."

Now please educate me, which part of this news tells you that officers in IN were responsile in any way for the Gorky fiasco...please point out facts and not your theories, for which no corroborative evidence exists, at least till now......

And as for me knowing something about the Gorky saga or not, is not related to the nature and content of my post. That was directed at the cavalier attitude of imputing motives and CT based on one line of information.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 14 Apr 2010 14:59

shanksinha wrote:^^ A little respect never hurt anyone Kersi D sahab.

Accepted gracefully !!

K

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 14 Apr 2010 15:06

[quote="shanksinha
On a similar note do you have any idea if the systems on Shivalik and Talwar class are indeed using the new Grizzly missile ( 9M317 rocket with 45km range) as oppsed to the older Gadfly missiles on Delhi.
-Thanks[/quote]

The only way to know is to go to the launchers inside the ship and see what is actually written on the missiles. I have seen some old pics of the interiors of INS Delhi which clearly showed the older versions.

It is possible that the difference may be only in software in which case it is probably impossible to know for the pics.

Now I think of it. Is it possible that the failed Shtil trial were due to the new missile being used ?

K

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 14 Apr 2010 15:18

^^ Shivalik and Talwar indeed use the latest missile Grizzly compared to the older Gadfly that Delhi has.

Kersi D · Post by **Kersi D** » 14 Apr 2010 23:59

Austin wrote:^^ Shivalik and Talwar indeed use the latest missile Grizzly compared to the older Gadfly that Delhi has.

Can the Grizzly be used on the 'Delhi' class ? (I think they are supposed to be interchangeable) If so IN must have changed over to Grizzly by now

K

SNaik · Post by **SNaik** » 15 Apr 2010 01:51

Kersi D wrote:[quote="shanksinha
It is possible that the difference may be only in software in which case it is probably impossible to know for the pics.

Now I think of it. Is it possible that the failed Shtil trial were due to the new missile being used ?

K

Missiles can be used on Delhi, but the range will be limited by older version of Orekh target illuminating radars. Problems with Shtil on Talwars were caused by electro-magnetic interference between Shtil and Indian/Western equipment installed.

Khalsa · Post by **Khalsa** » 15 Apr 2010 02:31

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNi9FbJqzeo
Bunged landing on Kuz !!
Hopefully the pilot got away in time and did not come in the way of .. excuse me an aircraft carrier !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITRLNHya ... re=related
Another on about hard landings when flying the Frogfoot.

shanksinha · Post by **shanksinha** » 15 Apr 2010 10:59

Missiles can be used on Delhi, but the range will be limited by older version of Orekh target illuminating radars. Problems with Shtil on Talwars were caused by electro-magnetic interference between Shtil and Indian/Western equipment installed.[/

I think it can be done comparatively easily and makes some sense to go for the latest 9M317A rockets with improved range of 50km. However, there will be limiting factors like the so called "half-plate" radar instead of the top-plate. Such an upgrade can be done in the upcoming midlife refit, BUT it makes much more sense to go for the new MR SAM being developed with Israel. For now its raher ironic that IN frigates have the best radar fit in the fleet as compared to the destroyers. The induction of Kolkata class will finally change that.

SNaik Jee are the illuminators on Delhi and Talwar/Shivalik different. I thought they are both Orekh MR-90?

-Thanks

SNaik · Post by **SNaik** » 15 Apr 2010 12:54

shanksinha wrote: SNaik Jee are the illuminators on Delhi and Talwar/Shivalik different. I thought they are both Orekh MR-90?

-Thanks

They are both Orekh, just different mods. More modern components, higher power output, new soft...

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 15 Apr 2010 12:57

After Long Delay, India Moves to Expand Strategic Karwar Naval Base
The Times of India

India is finally going in for a major expansion of its newest naval base at Karwar in coastal Karnataka, which provides it "strategic depth" on the western seaboard and Will House Aircraft Carriers and Nuclear Submarines in the Future.

Karwar, spread over 4,480 hectares on a 26-km stretch along the coastline at present, is being developed into a major naval base after Mumbai and Visakhapatnam for three main reasons.

• One, it will "Decongest'' the choked Mumbai harbour.

• Two, ''Karwar has Natural Cover and Sufficient Depth of Water Available. "Being a Deep-Water Port, Submarines can Operate with Greater Stealth from There,'' said an officer.

• Three, "Moreover, a dedicated naval base south of Mumbai provides more flexibility of operations and defence in depth for us.

During Phase-II, Karwar will get more Piers, Berthing and Anchorage Facilities, apart from an Airbase, Armament Depot and Missile Silos ,'' he added.

Juggi G · Post by **Juggi G** » 15 Apr 2010 13:06

Commodore Sukhjinder Singh

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 15 Apr 2010 13:31

Lok,"R and R",rest and recreation is common to all navies especially US and western ones who have long patrol durations at sea and the sailorboys get their rocks off in popular watering holes like Thailand,Singapore,etc.The old saying that a sailor has "a girl in every port" is true,I have a relative who aeons ago has a cute Russian girlfriend too.So the dear old Cmde.,on a long stay in a foreign country without his family (one presumes) ,dashing blade that he looks too,was bound to find that he was attractive to members of the opposite sex.Relationships I'm sure have existed in the past too between Indian officers stationed abroad.So being found with his pants down isn't such a major crime,unless it is proven that this relationship was part of a "honey trap" and that he was getting his ghoulies "squeezed" for classified information.

There is an old story abut dear old Henry K,who on a trip to Russia was being treated like a czar of old and discreete hints were being made to him at bedtime whether he wanted some company to warm his sheets.After a few polite "NOs",Henry got exasperated at his hosts repeated offers and supposedly said,"OK,bring her on,take your pictures and then buzz off", or words to that effect! He spent a very cold night alone we are told!

The Karwar expansion is most welcome news,especially that the N-sub base and airfield will be built.The IN needs at least two major bases each on both east and west fully equipped to deal with any contingency,and out of close reach of the enemy .Bombay is just too crowded and we recently had the misfortune to have a merchantman sink a CG vessel.With a three-carrier navy in the offing from 2015 onwards,the demands will be huge for the IN in supporting carrier task forces as ell as subs,both nuclear and non-nuclear.