Soviet Union 1991

(First update)

Sure enough, after hearing the delegation's reply, the Indian Ministry of Defense just held a brief meeting and passed the US$1.56 billion Gorshkov modification plan. However, Kapoor still allowed the delegation to cut the cost from the Soviets. Point for point, try to spend as little money as possible to complete the modification of the Gorshkov.

After returning to the negotiating table, the Indian delegation had a fierce bargaining with General Sergeyev. They hoped to give more concessions on price, and Sergeyev said that the exemption of 100 million U.S. dollars was The final bottom line is that the Soviet Union will never give up a single point in other aspects.

"Listen to what I have to say." Sergeyev waved his hand to silence these people, almost saying that everyone sitting here is trash. He motioned to the noisy Indian delegation to listen to what he said, "We in the Soviet Union can indeed cut prices."

Everyone else exploded when they heard this. The Indian delegation was obviously dissatisfied with General Sergeyev's inconsistent attitude. Since you can continue to cut prices, why did you insist on that price before? put? Are you kidding us? Or do you think we are easy to bully?

Who knew that General Sergeyev replied seriously, "Of course I can say this, the Soviet Union can use the lowest quality materials to lay the deck, the lowest quality materials to forge the insulated boilers, and the lowest quality interception ropes to intercept you aircraft. We can use 1 000 million US dollars to complete this project, but do you dare to ask for such a Gorshkov? Haven't you considered where every dollar of this money is spent? Why not go back and renovate it again in the future? Now spend a little more to ensure the quality of this aircraft carrier.”

Everyone on the other side was silent. Everything Sergeyev said was true. Who dared to drive an aircraft carrier out of the military port to the world with an aircraft carrier whose quality could not even be guaranteed? It probably hadn’t even reached the Indian Ocean yet. Halfway through, it split and disintegrated and became a joke in the history of world warships.

"The part we can further reduce is the debugging work after the completion of the Gorshkov. Your Indian Navy can try testing and debugging on its own." Sergeyev said. "This is our last concession, and we will not make any cuts in other aspects. If you can't accept this fact, you'd better hire someone else."

On the one hand, the Soviet Union refused to let go of the price. On the one hand, due to the high material cost, the Indian delegation had no choice but to agree to a modern modification quotation of up to 1.46 billion. Of course, the price paid by the Indian Navy is not a one-time payment. They will pay 20% of the reservation fee first, and when the hull construction progress is 70% completed. Then pay the remaining balance.

Of course, India will also regret the frequent accidents caused by this lack of evaluation in the future.

This still cannot change the fate of Indians who are grateful to help others count their money after being sold. Just after completing this large order, personnel from the Mikoyangarevich Design Bureau also stepped in and asked India if it needed new fighter jets to become their aircraft carrier-based aircraft.

"A special model of the MiG-29 carrier-based aircraft? Specifically designed for India?" After hearing the carrier-based aircraft introduced to him by Granovich, the representative of the MiG Design Bureau, Prakash of the Indian delegation also suddenly became interested. . The special customized version means that this kind of carrier-based aircraft is only available in India, and other countries do not have such models at all. It is exciting to think about it.

"Yes, a special version of the MiG-29 carrier-based aircraft." Granovich took out a piece of information from his bag and placed it in front of Prakash, "We have already developed a model of the MiG-29 carrier-based aircraft. , but due to other reasons, the capital chain was broken, so we now hope to achieve mass production of this project’s carrier-based aircraft. This is a model specially developed for the Soviet aircraft carrier.”

The Mikoyan Design Bureau also had its own difficulties, although in 1984 the Soviet Navy ordered two MiG-29k prototypes. But in December 1991, the Russian Navy decided to only continue to develop the Su-27k, and the MiG-29k lost the support of government investment. In February 1992, the prototype aircraft was demonstrated in Minsk, Belarus, with four external kh-31a anti-ship and anti-radar missiles and four R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles. The two prototype aircraft made their last flights on August 27 and August 28, 1992 respectively, and have since been sealed.

The reason for the failure of the MiG-29k was that it was considered to have insufficient range to provide adequate protection for the ship formation. However, the Indian Navy's operational thinking is different from that of the Soviet Union, so the MiG Design Bureau wanted to try its luck here and see if it could You can't market your fighter.

"Our first prototype flew for the first time on June 1, 1988, and completed its first arrested landing on the Kuznetsov aircraft carrier on November 1, 1989. On the 17th of that month, it completed its first ski jump takeoff on the ship. , the second prototype (number 312) first flew in September 1990, and was also the first full-state machine. The aircraft was equipped with the n010 Beetle pulse Doppler radar, which is the flight data and information we recorded. "

Granovich hurriedly handed a key data record to the Indian delegation. "The MiG-29K fuselage uses a large amount of composite materials, accounting for 15% of the entire fuselage. The stability rate of the old MiG-29K after approaching and landing is not very good. In order to improve low-speed maneuverability, our MiG-29K uses a larger double-slotted flap and increases the maximum deflection of the leading edge flap from 20 degrees to 30 degrees. A rectangular leading edge vortex controller is also pretended on the outside of the wing to increase lift and improve stability. This is also one of the advantages."

"The MiG-29K uses two RD-33MK "Sea Wasp" turbofan engines, and the thrust of a single engine reaches 88.2kN. Compared with the previous version of the RD-33 engine, it uses an improved fan, the air flow rate is increased by 65%, the temperature before the turbine is increased by 40 degrees, and the afterburner thrust is increased.

"The engine also uses a smokeless combustion chamber to eliminate the smoke when the afterburner is not turned on. The full digital electronic control system replaces the original analog electronic regulator/mechanical hydraulic backup combined control system. The total fuel capacity of the aircraft has increased by 49% compared to the MiG-29. A 2150L auxiliary fuel tank can be hung on the centerline of the fuselage, and a 1150L auxiliary fuel tank can be carried under each wing. The aircraft can also be used to perform buddy refueling missions. At this time, the number of underwing auxiliary fuel tanks can be increased to 4, and a buddy refueling pod can be installed on the centerline of the fuselage. "

After saying so much in one breath, Granovich glanced at the face of the Indian representative and was relieved to see that the other party showed an expression that he wanted to continue discussing with him.

"And so far, the Soviet side has no intention of selling Su-33 fighters, so the Indian Navy can only use the Yak-38 carrier-based aircraft, and as a carrier-based aircraft of the Yak series, it is definitely not better adapted to the deck of the Gorshkov than the improved model of the MiG-29. "Granovich said confidently, which is why he dared to come to promote it with such confidence.

Because after the modification, the Gorshkov is more suitable for carrier-based aircraft such as MiG. Compared with the Yak-141 carrier-based aircraft, which has a long way to go before it can be mass-produced, and the Yak-38, which has frequent accidents, the MiG-29k carrier-based aircraft is the best version so far.

It is precisely because of this that the Mikoyan Design Bureau has the confidence to come to the Indian delegation to promote this fighter that can be mass-produced.

The Soviet delegation said solemnly that they would consider it. They were already somewhat tempted by the suggestions made by the representatives of the Mikoyan Design Bureau. Moreover, every word the other party said hit the hearts and minds of the Indians. The Su-33 carrier-based aircraft that was unwilling to sell, the aging Yak-38, and the Yak-141 that did not know when it would be completed for mass production. When the Indians were worried about the carrier-based aircraft, the Mikoyan Design Bureau magically appeared in front of them and proposed this solution.

"This is our phone number. If you are interested, you can call us at any time. "Granovich handed the business card to the Indian delegation respectfully, and then said very tactfully, "Then I will take my leave first and will not bother you anymore."

Granovich is just the first lobbyist. There will be people who will continue to lobby the Indian Ministry of Defense officials and build relationships with them. Even if they don't fancy the MiG-29k carrier-based aircraft this time, they will form an impression that the MiG-29 is an indispensable carrier-based aircraft in the Soviet Navy. When the next bidding comes, these people will also include the MiG-29k in the first consideration.

Next, just wait for the Indian Navy to take the bait. (To be continued.)