Moscow: Acquisition of 'admiral Gorshkov' aircraft carrier would be the part of a bigger package deal for the Indian Navy, including the lease of strategic bombers and nuclear submarines, India's Ambassador to Russia Krishnan Raghunath said.

The governments of two countries had agreed in 1995 on a package, including acquisition of 'admiral Gorshkov' aircraft carrier besides leasing of four Tu-22M3 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) codename Backfire-C) long range bombers for Naval reconnaissance and two Akula class nuclear assault submarines, Raghunath said.

The Ambassador was briefing Moscow-based Indian media on the eve of Defence Minister George Fernandes' arrival in Moscow on January 13 night on a six-day Russia visit.

"At their New Delhi summit last month (December), President Putin and Prime Minister Vajpayee reaffirmed their commitment to 1995 inter-governmental agreement, and the Gorshkov deal would be signed, when ready, simultaneously with the leasing of Tu- 22M3 reconnaissance planes and (nuclear) submarines," Raghunath said, replying to a question about delay in inking much-awaited 'Gorshkov' deal.

He discounted the possibility of US pressure on Russia, since Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and Akula class submarines are nuclear weapons platform.

Asked about the possibility of US attempts to scuttle sensitive defence deals with Russia, he said, "In the past (in January 1988), we have already leased nuclear submarine 'INS Chakra' for three years from Russia. There are no problems with the US. Our missiles programme is indigenous and India will continue it. It does not pose a direct threat to the US."

During his Russia visit – just six weeks after the Indo-Russian summit in New Delhi in December – Fernandes is scheduled to hold wide-ranging discussions with top Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.

Fernandes will also co-preside over the third session of Indo-Russian Inter- governmental Commission on military-technical co-operation with Russian Industries, Science and Technology Minister Ilya Klebanov.

This nodal body was set up in October 2000 during President Putin's first India visit for the co-ordination of long-term bilateral defence co-operation, which has confidently moved away from buyer-seller relations to joint research, development, production and marketing.

Besides the overall review of implemented projects, projects under implementation and discussion, Fernandes and Klebanov are also expected to focus on the hi- tech, "smart" weapons including air-to-air, surface-to-surface missiles and ammunition for the Indian armed forces.

PTI