Soviet Union 1991

(first update)

If the reason for selling the Gorshkov aircraft carrier in history was due to the internal boiler explosion and insufficient funds, then Yanayev decided to sell the Gorshkov at this time purely to free up part of the aircraft carrier. Funds will continue to support the construction of the Navy's new generation aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk.

Therefore, Yanayev’s first target was the Indians whose army purchased Soviet equipment on a large scale last time. Of course, it is not the glorious tradition of the Soviet people to like to cheat Asan, but the current Indian Navy’s light aircraft carrier Virat , that is, the former British HMS Athletics has been in service since 1959. In 1986, India purchased this Centaur-class light aircraft carrier from the United Kingdom.

I don’t know whether Ah San is a fool with too much money or a fool with too much money to buy an aircraft carrier that has been in service for almost thirty years. The Gorshkov was only officially commissioned in 1987, so this aircraft carrier No matter from which angle you look at it, the Indian Navy has no right to refuse.

What's more, Yanayev is not ready to make money from the Indians on the price of the aircraft carrier itself. For this reason, Chemezov, the head of the Soviet arms export company, visited Indian Defense Minister Kapoor as a lobbyist. This is relatively good news for the Indian Navy.

The Gorshkov aircraft carrier, after it forms combat effectiveness, and together with the Vitra, can make you the overlord of the Indian Ocean in one fell swoop. Although you and Australia are the only two countries with aircraft carriers in the Indian Ocean, how can something like the Melbourne aircraft carrier be possible? Comparable to our Gorshkov?

"Are you saying that you plan to sell the Gorshkov, which has been in service for a long time, to us? And at a lower price?" Kapoor had no idea that such a good thing would happen to the Indian Navy. I know they are still worried about which country's second-hand aircraft carrier they should buy after the Vitra reaches its service life.

"Yes, I am asked to visit India this time just to listen to your thoughts." Chemezov replied in a helpless tone, "You also know that in recent years, our country has suffered from economic problems. There is insufficient construction in the navy, so now we are reducing the size of the navy. Even the aircraft carrier Gorshkov needs to be sold to you at a low price, and this time it is definitely the most conscientious price. "

Kapoor's eyes lit up when he heard about the most conscientious price, but Indians always forget every time someone tells them the most conscientious price. The prices released are not very conscientious.

"I wonder at what price the Soviet Union will sell the aircraft carrier?" Kapur asked eagerly. He could not wait to ask the people in Congress for money now and pass the procurement budget for this aircraft carrier.

"In short, it will not exceed one billion U.S. dollars. One billion is the highest limit. I'm afraid the specific price will still need to be negotiated and negotiated between us." Chemezov gave an ambiguous answer. He reached out to Kapoor. Pointing a finger, "Of course the buyer of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier is not the only one. The reason why we consider you first is because we believe in the strategic partnership between the Soviet Union and India."

"India is a rising big country. A big country also needs a strong naval force to protect their ocean-going interests from any infringement, so the Gorshkov will be your best choice. We also hope that Contribute to the military strength of our allies..."

Chemezov's serious nonsense couldn't help but make the Indian Defense Minister a little embarrassed, just like if he didn't bite this pie that fell from the sky, he would be sorry for the Indian Navy. So Chemezov agreed in advance, "We agree to the deal, but before the deal starts, we want to send a delegation to visit the Gorshkov aircraft carrier. After everything is confirmed and ready, We will send people to sign a trade treaty with you."

Seeing that the opponent had already stepped into his trap with one foot, Chemezov raised his eyebrows slightly and quietly waited for the prey to step in with the other foot. To be honest, Chemezov was also depressed at the time why the General Secretary agreed to sell the Gorshkov for less than half the price of building an aircraft carrier. But a series of trade treaty restrictions later made him realize that they did not intend to cheat India on the price of the aircraft carrier itself.

The so-called price is just a bait, and the next modification is the highlight. The more India is reluctant to part with the price of the Gorshkov, the Gorshkov aircraft carrier itself is a hybrid between a cruiser and an aircraft carrier. The main design idea of ​​the ship is to carry short-range vertical take-off and landing fighters such as the Yak-38. Therefore, the Gorshkov aircraft carrier has limited hangars and limited fighter aircraft.

Yanayev took advantage of India's desire to significantly improve its performance after acquiring second-hand aircraft carriers at low prices, and finally came up with a plan to significantly modify the original design, install a ski-jump deck, increase the width of the entire flight deck, and It is a plan to transform it into a smaller version of the Kuznetsov capable of taking off and landing MiG-29. This reckless plan in history was also readily accepted by India.

Of course, as long as he can get money. Yanayev doesn't care what the Gorshkov aircraft carrier is modified into. Because modern ships are a sophisticated and complex system, linked together, any large-scale modification may cause the entire system to be unbalanced, and the probability of causing unpredictable risks is greatly increased. Even if it is to develop improved models and new models. It is necessary to gradually advance from the top-level design based on accumulated experience. The forced modification of the Gorshkov will inevitably lead to a series of subsequent problems for this mixed ship between an aircraft carrier and a cruiser, and India will have a chance to cry.

So, India is stupid, and history always repeats itself.

"There are a series of conditions for the sale of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier. Minister Kapur." Seeing that the time is almost ripe, Chemezov finally took out another plan hidden under the briefcase to fool the Indian Navy.

"That is, the Gorshkov aircraft carrier must be modernized in the Soviet Union before it can be delivered to the Indian military. We will add a ski-jump deck for you and increase the width of the deck. After all, the Gorshkov is only the second-generation aircraft carrier of the Soviet Union, so we will modify it into a transitional model between the second and third generations to better serve the Indian Navy."

"Do you want to modify it into something similar to the Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier?" Chemezov's suggestion made the Indian Defense Minister's eyes brighten, as if the Soviets standing in front of him at this time had become the savior of the Indian Navy. Imagine building an aircraft carrier fleet second only to the Soviet Union and the United States. This is the dream of many Indians. Although India claimed to be the world's third most powerful military country before, it was severely slapped in the face by a country that specializes in killing the third. But this is the navy. Except for the European and North American countries that dare to spend so much money, which other country dares to be as generous as India?

Although India's generosity is seen by the Soviets as stupidity and wealth, the so-called unrealistic modernization modification plan also hides a major hidden danger, that is, even the Soviet Union does not know what consequences such unrealistic modification will cause. But who cares, as long as the sale of the Gorshkov aircraft carrier can make a profit, the Soviet Navy does not recommend cheating the Indians again.

"In short, it is a smaller version of the Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier. Because the design concept of the Kiev class can no longer keep up with the times. So we will not sell you an outdated aircraft carrier, which is an immoral act." Chemezov said with pretended concern. The more he said that he was doing everything possible to consider India, the more touched India was, and the greater the chance of being cheated.

"In this case, can you provide a plan, and then we will modify it ourselves?" Kapur asked.

"Sure, as long as you can carry out the difficult construction project of deck expansion, we don't mind providing you with the Gorshkov to do it yourself, but can India currently perform such a complex surgical operation? What if you don't do it well, but spend a lot of money to tow back a wrecked ship?" Chemezov asked bluntly.

Kapur hesitated for a moment, but still accepted Chemezov's suggestion obediently. After this conversation, the two also reached a temporary transaction agreement. Everything else will have to wait until the Indian delegation sees the actual aircraft carrier. (To be continued)