India | Updated Dec 08, 2007 at 12:27pm IST

Russia hikes aircraft price, India refuses to buy it

Vishal Thapar, CNN-IBN

New Delhi: India will not give in to the Russian demand for a $1.2 billion price hike for the aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta has said in an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN. Indicating a hardening of stance against the traditional arms supplier, Mehta said India will instead extend the life of its own ageing carrier, Viraat. Excerpts from the interview.

On the Gorshkov

I don't think there is any question of taking any advantage because then we can also put our feet down and say "well it is a government to government contract and get on with it".

To me it should be that there is no escalation at all. Virat is doing quite well and we will be easily be able to run her for at least another seven-eight years.

On the LTTE

We have very successfully blocked any of the exit from Gulf of Mannar region. This is the first time that we have heard this. Yes, this was reported and we are aware of it that they have perhaps started moving upwards a little bit.

On India's n-Submarine

We have moved to the final threshold and I think maybe within two years time or less than that we should have that kind of capability.

On New Submarines

We have just about started that process of getting the approvals for the second line and then we will go global. I guess it will take about two years or so.

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