by a Thinker, Sailor, Blogger, Irreverent Guy from Madras

Truth behind India's tie up with Russian Kamov


Kamov helicopters are unconventional in the sense of what you expect to see of a helicopter.  There is no tail rotor, which is jarring to the eye, and they have coaxial rotors – two main rotors arranged one above other – like some toy helicopters and drones.

When the Kamovs fly, those coaxial rotors make a different sound too.  Instead of the readily recognized ‘faka-faka-faka’ of the conventional chopper, they make a deep, continuous, ‘brrrrrrr’ sound.  Most Kamovs are based in Mumbai, so not many outside of South Mumbai could have heard that unmistakable noise.  The chuff-chuff or faka-faka of the conventional helicopter is due to the air turbulence interaction between the main and tail rotors, which is absent in Kamovs.

Just like the unconventional Kamovs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also adopted a strange strategy in policies and actions.  Over the 1-1/2 years of his regime, the style and tactics have been exposed.  In every instance, he hustles in, proclaiming to overturn the status quo, with a new approach, upsetting the conventional wisdom.  Then after months, he does an about turn and does exactly what was dismissed by him earlier.

Witness the fact in Indo-Pak talks.  First Modi’s regime declared Pakistan as non-grata in the matter of talks, because they chose to consult the Kashmir separatists.  Now after about an year or so later, he does an about turn, and does the saner thing – resume talks. 

Initially on assuming power, Modi chose to disdain Russia – remember Russia was the first country to jump at Make in India bandwagon, with an offer to manufacture Kalashnikov’s in Gujarat - which did not attract much attention.  The PM chose to cozy up to the West (and I include Japan in the ‘West’), but the ‘West’ refused to play along.

France refused to yield on the Rafale, Cameron pimped Eurofighter, the Americans were miffed at the rejection of the Super Vipers.  Modi thought that Silicon Valley might me more amenable.  But both Sundar Pitchai and Mark Zuckerberg are not people foolish enough to go against conventional wisdom.  To the PM’s angst, both of them have targeted India to push through their agenda of Project Loon and Free Basic program.  Even Japanese PM Abe came through to push for Bullet Train.

Whatever you say, Narendra Modi is a consummate politician.  Bullet Train?  The people of Bihar have already put a bullet into his train of thoughts on world domination, and so he did what was the most sanest thing – run to Russia and sign on the Kamov deal.

It is about time, as some news reports suggest that half of Indian Navy’s Destroyers operate without their intended helicopter support.

kamov-ka226

(image courtesy TASS.ru)

As a wag put it:
Q: Why did not Modi buy American Sikorsky?
A: He thought it was Italian.

Q: Why did Modi buy Russian Kamov?
A: He thought it was Russians pronouncing Kem Cho


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