Indian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

cyan1320

Junior Member
BREAKING NEWS: Indian air force plane goes missing shortly after take off with 29 people on board

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FORBIN

Lieutenant General
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India Awards Boeing $1B Option for Four More P-8I Maritime Surveillance Aircraft

Boeing has been awarded a $1 billion contract option by the Indian government for four more of the company’s P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, USNI News has learned.

The four P-8Is – based on the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon aircraft – follows a $2.1 billion 2009 initial deal for the eight of the aircraft. The option, built into the original deal, would add the four aircraft as a direct commercial sale, sources familiar with the option told USNI News on Wednesday.

The option to buy the quartet of aircraft was exercised in conjunction with a Wednesday visit to India by Frank Kendall, the Pentagon’s top acquisition official.
Officials with Boeing would not confirm the exercise of the option but noted reports of the Ministry of Defense’s expressed intent to pick up the four aircraft.

“The Indian Navy has been clear about their intent to exercise these options,” company spokeswoman Caroline Hutcheson told USNI News.
“We will defer to the MoD for any formal announcement.”
Based on Boeing’s 737 commercial airliner, India’s P-8 differs from the U.S. Navy configuration for the P-8 with the inclusion of an additional aft radar and a magnetic anomaly detector used to find submarines. Much of the configuration is informed by the “Make in India” initiative for domestically defense material. Following those standards, the aircraft will be built and outfitted at Boeing’s facilities outside of Seattle, Wash.

The P-8Is replace eight Soviet-era Tupelov Tu-142M Bear anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft the Indian Navy bought in 1988.

India’s purchase of the P-8Is from a U.S. supplier was seen as a break with its relationship with

Moscow – to date New Delhi’s chief supplier of military hardware.

In the last several years, India has put effort into increasing its ASW capability as China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has pushed its submarine operations further west into the Indian Ocean. China is largely seen by New Delhi as India’s largest regional competitor.

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Janes reported it with some different details, bolded highlights by me. What do the agreements, or lack thereof, mean?

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India signs deal for four more P-8I surveillance aircraft
Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
28 July 2016

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a USD1 billion deal with Boeing on 27 July for four additional P-8I Neptune long-range maritime multi-mission aircraft for the Indian Navy (IN), official and industry sources said.

The aircraft, which are being acquired via a direct commercial sale with Boeing and the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route with the US government for its weaponry, will supplement eight other P-8Is the IN acquired in 2009 for USD2.1 billion. All eight aircraft were delivered by 2015.

Industry sources toldIHS Jane'sthat deliveries of the new P-8Is would begin about mid-2019 and be completed within 12-14 months. They said the deal was signed during the India visit of Frank Kendal, the US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition following approval by India's Cabinet Committee on Security in late June.

Kendal was in the country to further the bilateral Defence Trade and Technology Initiative to jointly develop and manufacture varied military equipment, including an aircraft carrier and combat aircraft engines. With the P-8I deal India has acquired US defence equipment valued at about USD15 billion since 2000.

With an operational range of 1,200 n miles each of the four new P-8Is will be equipped with Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems' newly designed AN/APY-10 multi-mission maritime, littoral and overland surveillance radar capable of providing high-resolution images in land and sea modes.

They will also be armed with Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles and Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Mk 54 Mod 0 lightweight anti-submarine warfare torpedoes capable of being released from a height of about 6 km.

Official sources pointed out, however, that for now the new P-8Is, just like the previous eight, will not be delivered with secure and encrypted communication suites and electronic warfare (EW) systems.

The reason for this is that India has yet to sign two 'foundational agreements' that direct such transfers: the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMoA) and the Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Co-operation (BECA).
 

Hendrik_2000

Lieutenant General
Well unfortunately suffer set back with accident of J 15 They better investigate it thoroughly so it won't be repeated. Apparently China is not alone
First posted by Swoosh
India without aircraft carrier for 8 months
Rajat Pandit | TNN | Jul 27, 2016, 04.17 AM IST


NEW DELHI: India thinks of itself as an emerging superpower but does not have a single operational aircraft carrier+ as of now. Its solitary aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya+ , will be ready for action only after eight months due its ongoing maintenance refit.

More alarmingly, the 44,570-tonne INS Vikramaditya+ will in all probability have to soldier on alone for the next six-seven years. In its report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the CAG said the already long-delayed 40,000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant+ , will be ready only by 2023 as per its constructor Cochin Shipyard+ .

Nothing projects raw combat power like an aircraft carrier prowling on the high seas, ready to unleash its fighter jets and missiles against any adversary. So, whenever the US launches a military strike, or flies the flag against a belligerent China+ in the South China Sea+ , it turns to its 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered "super-carriers" deployed around the globe. China, too, visualises aircraft carriers as "symbols of a great nation".

India, however, continues to flounder in first formulating and then executing longterm strategic plans in tune with its geopolitical aspirations. The Navy for long has been demanding three aircraft carriers, one each for the western and eastern sea-boards, with the third being under refit at any given time. But the CAG report, with a detailed critique of the shoddy planning and project execution in INS Vikrant's construction, junks the notion of even a two-carrier force till 2023.

Moreover, the report says the MiG-29K fleet - India ordered 45 fighters from Russia for $2 billion for INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant - is "riddled with problems" due to defects in the fighter airframes, RD-33 MK engines and fly-by-wire systems. Consequently, the serviceability or operational availability of MiG-29Ks is pathetic - ranging from just 15.93 per cent to 37.63 per cent.

The Navy, however, is quite confident of getting INS Vikrant, which was first approved in May 1999 with its construction beginning in November 2006, by December 2018. "INS Vikrant will not have its Russian aviation complex (aviation armaments, mobile systems, arresting gear, hydraulic stations and other equipment) and the Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missile systems by then. But we are planning sea trials from 2018 onwards," said a senior officer.


Even if the carrier is delivered by 2018-2019, it will not be able to operate MiG-29Ks from its deck without the aviation complex, nor be able to effectively protect itself without the Barak-8 missile system+ .

As was first reported by TOI, defence minister Manohar Parrikar has put further orders for the Barak-8 systems designed by DRDO-Israel Aerospace Industries+ , with an over 70-km interception range against incoming enemy aircraft, drones and missile, on hold due to the high costs involved.


The CAG, on its part, says, "There is continuing disagreement over project timelines between the Navy and Cochin Shipyard, with realistic dates for delivery yet to be worked out."

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JudgeKing

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India to Enhance Su-30MKI Multirole Fighters
(Source: TASS Defense; published July 28, 2016)

MOSCOW --- India is boosting negotiations with Russia on the upgrade of its Sukhoi Su-30MKI (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) multirole fighter jets, according to a source in the Russian defense industry.

"Due to the postponement of the FGFA (Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft) joint program, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has apparently revealed its intention to upgrade Su-30MKI combat aircraft in order to turn the planes into the fifth-generation fighter jets. A Russian military-industrial delegation visited New Delhi in early July to forge the upgrade strategy and to discuss it with the Indian colleagues. We suppose that the draft of the new program will have been hammered out by the year-end.

“The preliminary name of the enhanced fighter is 'Super Sukhoi'. The Indian MoD is planning to upgrade almost all 272 ordered Su-30MKI aircraft to the 'Super Sukhoi' level in efforts to increase the combat capabilities of the fighters. I should note that the new program will [not] cancel the FGFA project. At present, India intends to get both FGFA and 'Super Sukhoi' fighter jets. If the relevant projects have been implemented to full extent, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be one of the strongest in the world," the source said.

He added that the proposed cost of the 'Super Sukhoi' program is significantly less than the one of the FGFA. "Russia and India are going to spend about USD25 billion to deliver the FGFA fighter jets to the IAF, while the rebuilding of all 272 Su-30MKI fighters is supposed to cost about USD8 billion", the source said.

However, the reallocation of funds may slightly harm the FGFA program, he added. "Such drastic modernization of the Su-30MKI aircraft may slow down the development of the FGFA fighter. Both sides should consider the financial limitations. Nevertheless, one can describe FGFA as an aircraft being designed from scratch, while the basic Su-30MKI planes have been almost delivered to the IAF. The upgrade of the Sukhoi fighters will allow sustaining the combat readiness of the service in several decades to come. Hence, the implications of the decision to earmark funds to both program are not as apparent as the economic pundits suppose," the source emphasized.

He added that the Indian intention to upgrade Su-30MKIs in a drastic manner is a rational one. "The Flanker-H multirole fighter has a great potential in the modernization. It has an advanced airframe and a modular structure of the main components. I would not suppose 'Super Sukhoi' to be a genuine fifth-generation aircraft, but its combat performance can be radically increased. The upgraded plane is going to leave behind almost all modern aircraft in terms of cost-effectiveness ratio. It would offer a great capability for a relatively small chunk of money," the source said.

According to him, FGFA and 'Super Sukhoi' will be different aircraft. "FGFA has several advantages over the upgraded Su-30MKI, namely, improved stealth capabilities, internal weapon bays, integrated electronic warfare (EW) suite, state-of-the art engines, and an advanced software. 'Super Sukhoi' cannot be rebuilt into a fully stealth aircraft. Yes, we are planning to enhance the plane`s stealth. However, you should not delude into thinking that the upgraded Su-30MKI would be an almost invisible aircraft. It is a "Super Sukhoi', not a 'Super Stealth' aircraft.

“Such basic components as the airframe will retain their structure, be sure. India has demanded that Russia save the Su-30MKI`s legendary reliability, let alone high combat performance. I see the future of the IAF`s combat aircraft fleet as a mixture of the FGFA stealth planes and the 'Super Sukhoi' multirole fighters. You should consider that Moscow and India have committed to the FGFA program, having earmarked billions of dollars in order to support it. At the same time, the contract for "Super Sukhoi' planes has yet to be signed by both sides. Hence, the IAF is intending to get both planes," the source said.

The 'Super Sukhoi' aircraft is supposed to receive an advanced glass cockpit, long-range guided weapons, a state-of-the-art avionics, and a radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA), the source pointed out. "The IAF is planning to integrate the air-launched variant of the BrahMos cruise missile jointly developed by Russia and India with the 'Super Sukhoi' aircraft. The plane is supposed to get long-range air-launched missiles with an infrared guidance system interfaced with an advanced software. India is planning to power the jet with top-performing engines to reduce the number of potential failures," he added.

The contract between Moscow and New Delhi for the upgrade of Su-30MKI combat aircraft to the 'Super Sukhoi' variant has yet to be signed, the source emphasized. "The sides have not defined the volume of works and the number of the planes to be rebuilt. Once the relevant agreement is ratified, the Russian defense industry will make a demonstrator to be upgraded in India by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) company. Hence, both sides will contribute to the development of the 'Super Sukhoi' combat aircraft," the source said.

According to him, the allocation of funds remains the main hindrance in this area. "Frankly speaking, we do not suppose that the IAF will be able to put up money for both programs to full extent. The service may be required to scale down its activity in the aircraft upgrade segment despite the urgent needs," the source pointed out.

The modernization of the Air Force seems to be a bread-and-butter issue for the national MoD, as the present number of the operational fighter squadrons (25 units) does not meet the goal set by the Indian military authorities (45 units) at all. The acquisition of modern combat aircraft is a vital procedure given the complex geopolitical situation and the Indian-Pakistan tensions.

The implementation of the FGFA program has slowed down, while the contract for 272 Su-30MKI aircraft has been almost implemented. The buying of the Rafale fighters developed by the French Dassault Aviation aerospace company is not [as alluring] as it was several months ago. India needs combat capable and robust fighters, being able to eliminate the latest fourth-generation combat aircraft. Hence, the acquisition of an additional batch of relatively inexpensive Su-30MKI jets would be the best option. The 'Super Sukhoi' upgrade will drastically increase the combat capabilities of the Flanker-H planes.

According to the Military Balance 2016 report issued by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the IAF operates 791 combat aircraft. This fleet includes 43 MiG-29 (Fulcrum), 12 MiG-29UPG (Fulcrum-D), 123 Jaguar IB, 80 Jaguar IS, 10 Jaguar IM, 31 MiG-21bis (Fishbed), 115 MiG-21 (Bison), 40 MiG-21M/MF (Fishbed), 124 MiG-27ML (Flogger-J), 40 Mirage 2000E/I/H, 225 Su-30MKI, 7 MiG-29UB (Fulcrum), 1 Tejas, and 40 MiG-21U/UM (Mongol) jets.

The Indian Navy’s (IN) Naval Aviation operates 43 fighters, including 33 MiG-29K/KUB (Fulcrum-D), 2 Sea Harrier T-4N/T-60, and 8 Sea Harrier FRS 1/Mk.51 planes. Hence, the combat aircraft fleet of the IAF urgently needs unification. It includes a large number of ageing Cold War-era fighter jets. For instance, New Delhi remains the largest operator of the Soviet MiG-21 and MiG-27 planes in the world. The phasing out of the obsolete jets and replacing them with two modern types, namely FGFA and 'Super Sukhoi' will drastically increase the combat performance of the IAF.

It should be noted that the IN also faces several troubles in the area of combat aircraft. According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the service has seen the multiple failures of the RD-33MK jet engines integrated with the MiG-29K/KUB fighters, as well as the problems related to the planes’ airframes and fly-by-wire systems.

"The serviceability of the MiG-29K/KUB combat aircraft is extremely low, ranging from 15.93% to 37.63% for MiG-29Ks and from 21.30% to 47.14% for MiG-29KUBs," the CAG said. However, the aforementioned low serviceability level is supposed to have been caused by the unskilled level of the Indian maintenance system.


(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Indian Air Force would probably be satisfied with Su-30MKIs that worked as advertised. Ejection seats that do not fire on their own, engines that work for more than a few hours before having to be changed, and an availability rate above 50% would be a huge improvement to the present state of affairs.)

-ends-
 

FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
India to Buy Four Strategic Bombers From Russia

The Ministry of Defence of India has expressed the wish to buy four
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and other high-tech Russia’s military hardware, the Interfax news agency reported on July 12, citing the official stand of the program ‘Make in India’ at the international industrial exhibition ‘Innoprom’ in Ekaterinburg.

In addition to the bombers, the Indian Air Forces are going to buy 80 Mi-17 helicopters, 6 IL-76 airlifters that are suitable for the Israeli radar ‘Falcon’, and 12 air defense missile weapon systems S-400 ‘Triumph’.

Moreover, the Ministry of Defence of India would like to take on lease two nuclear-powered submarines Akula-II with an option to purchase them after the completion of the lease term.

The Indian stand at the international industrial exhibition also showed that more than 1 thousand T-90S tanks and 200 Ka-226 helicopters are planned to be produced at the territory of the country under the initiative ‘Make in India’.

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FORBIN

Lieutenant General
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Mirage 2000H/TH modernised in Mirage 2000I/TI

Want a Mirage 2000-5 Mk2, 50 ordered the 2 first modernized by Dassault in France the rest in India by HAL equip 3 Sqns based to Gwalior.

HAL flies upgraded Mirage-2000 successfully

Bengaluru: Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) flew the upgraded final operational configuration (FOC) Mirage-2000 on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule. The first flight of 45 minutes was piloted by Group Captain (retd) C Subramaniam, Chief Test Pilot, HAL, and Wing Commander Haldikar of ASTE, IAF. Group Captain Mishra of IAF was the test director. "It proves HAL's capability of mid-life upgrade of platforms to overcome obsolescence issues, enhance the reliability and maintainability of these aircraft. The introduction of state-of-the-art facility created for this project ensures timely upgradation of the Mirage fleet," HAL CMD T Suvarna Raju said.

The FOC design was implemented on an Initial Operational Configured aircraft which was received at HAL eight months ago. The IOC was designed by Dassault and Thales of France. "The FOC configuration covers integration of Indian specific weapons and electronic warfare system,"a statement said.

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FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
More detailed


The first modernized Mirage 2000H in India by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) made its first flight. This aircraft is one of the top three Indian Mirage 2000H which were modernized in France and delivered to the IAF in 2014 already, modernization in India with the operational upgrade was not forthcoming yet.

Indeed, the HAL facilities in Bangalore were still awaiting certification since 2012. Several HAL engineers had to come and train in France, in order to achieve a sufficient level to work on improving the Mirage 2000. Indeed the program has accumulated numerous delays.

This first flight finally mark the final phase of the modernization of Mirage 2000 Indian locally. The flight involved in the first flight with a final operational configuration (FOC) as defined by the initial upgrade program for the fleet of Mirage 2000 Indian Air Force.

The first flight of 45 minutes, with a two-seater Mirage 2000 No. KT201 was a success according to HAL. Note that this unit had received an initial modernization Dassault Aviation before passing into the hands of HAL.

Operational configuration FOC made by HAL covers the specifics in terms of weapons and electronic warfare and software related to the mission computer.

With this completion, HAL began the gradual modernization of 52 Mirage 2000 and other of this fully autonomous. However, it will take almost seven years to the Indian industry to fully complete the delivery of the aircraft.

Recall :

New Delhi has signed a contract worth $ 2.4 billion to upgrade its fleet of Mirage 2000 in July 2011.

Modernization of Mirage 2000H:

The technical objective of this modernization includes an upgrade of the Mirage 2000 standard -5 / II with the addition of the new version of the radar RDY-3, a digital cockpit compatible with night vision binoculars. The aircraft will receive an Indian electronic link coupled to a tactical data JTIDS system. India also negotiated the acquisition of a helmet visor. Question weapons, France will provide the latest generation missile MICA, with homing infrared and radar guidance. The unit will also carry a variety of bombs, allowing him an extension in ground attack.

The Mirage 2000H acquired in the mid-80s began to seriously be technologically obsolete. This program should enable the French Dassault aircraft to regain capacity, allowing it to maintain its commitment for another 20 years.

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aksha

Captain
From
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's media brief today: kit/capabilities on F-16 Block 70 that competes for a
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deal.
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American defence major
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on Thursday said it has offered to move its lone production line of the latest version of fighter aircraft F 16-Block 70 to India from Texas to meet Indian and global requirement.

However, the company made it clear the proposal is "conditional" to IAF choosing the world's largest-sold fighter aircraft for its fleet.

"The offer we have given to the Indian government is unmatched and from our side unprecedented," Randall L Howard, F16 Business Development head at Lockheed Martin, said here.

Interacting with mediapersons here, Howard said the company wants to make F 16-Block 70 "for India, from India and export to the world".

However, he parried questions on whether the company is willing to give a commitment not to sell F16s to Pakistan saying it will be part of discussions between the Indian and American governments.

Asked if the offer to move the production line from Fort Worth to India is conditional to IAF picking up the aircraft for its fleet, Abhay Paranjape, National Executive, India said, "Yes".

He said it is conditional to assured orders from the
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which is looking to acquire new aircraft to beef up its depleting strength.

Defence Minister
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has said India will choose at least one more aircraft, besides the indigenous Tejas, for the IAF through the 'Make in India' route.

Lockheed Martin, which has sold 4,588 F16s in the world, faces competition from its American rival Boeing (F/A-18E), Dassault Aviation of France (Rafale), Swedish plane Gripen by Saab and the Eurofighter.

All the companies have offered to set up a production facility here.

"But we are offering not only moving the lone production line to India but also meeting the global requirement through the same unit here," Howard said, adding it is a "win-win situation".

Arguing the F 16-Block 70 will be the best fighter aircraft in the Indian region, he said, "It is critical for you to pick up a partner who will deliver on his promise".

Howard said the company is having multiple discussions with the government here besides the industry and "they have not been told to go away", indicating the discussions are on.

He added Lockheed believes the production in India will also bring down the cost of the aircraft which in turn will increase its global demand.

Howard did not reply to questions on the kind of investment the company plans to make in the country and whether it would be looking at a 100 per cent FDI, saying it was too early to discuss this.


He said the aim of the company right now was to give maximum data to the government and the IAF so they can be helped in making an informed decision.

The company termed India as the "new epicenter of the world's most extensive, industrial defence network".
 
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FORBIN

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
It is confirmed now the last 3 Grigorovich, also Gorshkov don't have new turbines before several years confirming precendent rumors but now really make sense India can buy these last 3 Grigorovich equiped with turbines purchased by India.

India to acquire three Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates from Russia

Russia will supply three Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356M) frigates to India that were originally intended for the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet, according to a source in the Russian defence industry.

"The relevant concealed agreement has been achieved, and India will receive the second three of Project 11356 frigates being built for the Russian Navy. The Indian side has obtained 12 spare tool and accessory kits for the ships," the source said.

The only issue at the moment is that the vessels, which are being constructed at the Kaliningrad-based Yantar Shipyard, use a Ukrainian Zorya-Mashproyekt gas-turbine propulsion plant. The 2014 Ukraine conflict slammed the door on co-operation between Moscow and Kiev over critical propulsion system components, especially marine gas turbine engines.

While Russia has already received the propulsion systems for the first three frigates, Ukraine's termination of defence exports to Russia has left the final three without their turbines, with indigenous replacements possibly not be available before 2019.

While Ukraine says it will not supply the engines to Russia, the source told IHS Jane's that India could use previously acquired Ukrainian engines. Alternatively India could acquire new engines directly from Kiev.

Meanwhile Moscow and New Delhi are considering transporting the frigates' hulls from the Yantar Baltic Shipyard to India to enable the further construction of the ships and the installation of the engines in the country.

The additional three Project 11356 frigates for the Indian Navy - No. 360 Admiral Butakov , No. 361 Admiral Istomin , and No. 362 Admiral Kornilov - will reportedly be equipped with the BrahMos cruise missile system.

Admiral Grigorovich-class vessels are variants of the Talwar (Krivak III)-class frigates, of which six were built for the Indian Navy at the Yantar Baltic Shipyard between 2003 and 2013.

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Renewal projects of Russian surface fleet severely feeling the effects of the Ukrainian crisis, including the end of the technical and technological cooperation with foreign countries. The termination of delivery of gas turbines by Zorya Ukrainian-MachProject will lead to considerable delays in admission to active duty last three frigates of Project 11356M, and in those of the 22350 project, whose target is 6 units
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