When Mavi led Admiral Suni Bal and several Indian Navy officers to the largest dock of the North Sea Shipyard, they were met with the sight of a colossal warship, approximately 300 meters long and 35 meters wide, freshly refurbished and displayed before them.
This battleship had a standard displacement of 55,000 tons—almost equivalent to that of an aircraft carrier. It had a draft of 10.1 meters and was equipped with three quadruple 406mm heavy gun turrets as its main armament.
For air defense, the ship featured six twin 130mm dual-purpose guns and four quadruple 45mm anti-aircraft autocannons. It had a maximum speed of 27 knots, with side armor 380mm thick and deck armor of 50+150mm. The ship's engines generated a total of 140,000 horsepower.
Admiral Suni Bal and the other Indian naval officers stared at the massive vessel in awe. Compared to their country's 1,000-ton and 2,000-ton light frigates, the 55,000-ton battleship from the North Sea Shipyard was a truly imposing and formidable sight.
"Mr. Mavi, this must be the No. 6 battleship designed by the Soviet Union's First Central Special Ship Bureau, correct?" Admiral Suni Bal asked. As the Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy, he could recall relevant information about warships worldwide with just a glance.
"That's right, Admiral Suni Bal. This is indeed the No. 6 battleship originally constructed back then. Our shipyard has restored it for future use," Mavi responded concisely.
After hearing this, Admiral Suni Bal was somewhat puzzled. He turned to Mavi and asked, "Future use? Mr. Mavi, although this battleship is heavily armed, hasn't this type of warship been phased out by most navies?"
The displacement of battleships and heavy cruisers was comparable to that of aircraft carriers, but in terms of combat effectiveness, carriers had long since surpassed them. Aircraft carriers carried fighter jets and bombers, which posed a deadly threat to traditional warships.
In modern warfare, controlling maritime territory required air superiority. Without it, a few enemy aircraft could easily sink a battleship. This scenario had played out frequently during World War II, where some countries' battleships were sent out to sea only to be sunk by enemy planes shortly afterward.
"Yes, today's major military powers have replaced battleships with carrier battle groups. However, that doesn't mean battleships have no value. Admiral Suni Bal, we have prepared a special welcome ceremony for your visit. Would you and your officers be interested in attending?" Mavi asked with a smile.
"Of course! But this welcome ceremony—does it have something to do with this battleship?" Admiral Suni Bal asked, seemingly sensing something.
"Something like that," Mavi replied casually, then glanced at Mikhail, the shipyard director standing nearby, signaling him with a nod. "You can begin."
Mikhail received the order and immediately picked up his radio to relay Mavi's command to the dock control room. "The chairman says we're ready to start."
The control room received the signal and activated the corresponding switches. Within thirty seconds, the naval officers above watched as the dock's sea-facing gate slowly opened. Moments later, a surge of seawater rushed in through the gate, quickly flooding the dock.
As the water level rose, the battleship, which had been resting on the dock's keel blocks, began to float. The dock's internal towing system then guided it toward the open sea. Outside the dock, several tugboats were already waiting to tow the battleship completely out of the shipyard, successfully launching it into the water.
"Alright, gentlemen, the welcome ceremony is about to begin. It's time for us to head out as well," Mavi announced with a smile as he watched the battleship enter open waters. He then led the officers toward a 3,000-ton Talwar-class frigate, motioning for them to board.
Admiral Suni Bal was slightly confused. He had expected Mavi to let them board the battleship for an experience, but instead, they were being directed toward a much smaller frigate—one with a displacement barely a fraction of the battleship's. The difference was quite stark.
"Mr. Mavi, didn't you say this welcome ceremony was related to that battleship? Then why are we boarding this Talwar-class frigate instead?" Admiral Suni Bal asked, puzzled.
"You'll find out soon enough, Admiral Suni Bal," Mavi said, keeping it a mystery. He was determined to secure an order from the Indian Navy—not just for this batch but for future deals as well. In fact, India's military procurement needs extended beyond just the navy; the army and air force would also require equipment, and the total value of these deals was no small matter.
Since Mavi seemed intent on keeping it a surprise, Admiral Suni Bal had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and board the Talwar-class frigate along with his officers. On the deck, they were greeted by the ship's captain and executive officer, who had been waiting for them.
"Admiral Suni Bal, allow me to introduce you to Lieutenant Colonel Povkin, the captain of this frigate," Mavi said, effortlessly making introductions.
Ever since Mavi had donated $26.5 million to naval research, the Russian Navy had developed a favorable impression of him. This allowed him, a businessman, to move freely among military personnel—a privilege that few could claim.
After Admiral Suni Bal had exchanged pleasantries with the captain and executive officer, Mavi saw the perfect opportunity to begin his sales pitch.
"Admiral Suni Bal, the Talwar-class frigate you're standing on is equipped with an eight-cell vertical launch system for Moskit supersonic anti-ship missiles. It also features a 3S-90 single-arm launcher capable of firing Shtil medium-range naval surface-to-air missiles. The ship is powered entirely by gas turbines, allowing for a maximum speed of 27 knots."
Mavi knew that in the early 2000s, the Indian Navy was still using steam-powered ships—practically relics fit for a museum. They were in urgent need of modern warships to enhance their military capabilities.
Admiral Suni Bal, having shifted his attention away from the battleship, now focused on the frigate. He asked Mavi directly, "Mr. Mavi, how much does one of these 3,000-ton Talwar-class frigates cost? And how long would it take for delivery? We'd prefer the shortest possible timeline."
The Indian Navy was in desperate need of new ships, prioritizing speed of delivery above all else. Price was a secondary concern as long as it remained within budget.
"Here's the deal, Admiral Suni Bal. The price for one Talwar-class frigate is $180 million. However, if your country places a large order, we can apply for a discount," Mavi replied with a strategic smile.
(End of Chapter)