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November 13, 2008

Technology transfer and some Indian public relations

The UK lifts ban on nuclear exports to India, the Indian navy sends an armed helicopter with marine commandos to have a word with some pirates and the Russians consider ordering French aircraft carriers. In an ideal world, I would have linked those three ideas in a clever sentence using the navy, nuclear and India as the pertinent tropes. But it was not to be.

More on those carriers.

The idea being floated is that all indications are Russia would like to build 6 aircraft carriers similar to the 60-70 thousand ton CVF design being developed for the British and French Navies. Ilya Kramnik's idea is to build the lead ship in France with foreign assistance, including some experience for Russian shipbuilders, then do follow on serial construction of the rest of the class in Russia.

The linked piece suggests the sale is unlikely due to technology transfer issues with the Americans, though quite what those might be is not spelled out. I would have imagined the British would have a rather larger objection to make.

Related: Taylor & Co. offers a much more detailed account of the INS Tabar's encounter with pirates. I am also pleased to note HMS Cumberland has also been doing what the Royal Navy is supposed to do

Posted by Ghost of a flea at November 13, 2008 07:37 AM

Comments

As much as I applaud the actions of the Royal & Indian Navies, I have to say, this whole idea of having pirate ships to board is mystifying. I rather agree with the Times' first commenter:

"I'm not sure I understand- a pirate dhow opens fire on a British frigate, and only two pirates are killed, and the dhow is left standing so it can be boarded?

After that confrontation, the pirate dhow should have been splinters of wood swirling around in the water."

Posted by: Chris Taylor [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 13, 2008 05:24 PM