Russia to Deliver INS Vikramaditya to Indian Navy in 2012

Aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov (INS Vikramaditya) will be handed over to Indian Navy by the yearend of 2012, said the head of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation Mikhail Dmitriev on Dec 16.

“Everything is on schedule – the end of the next year”, Dmitriev said.

The Russia’s largest-ever defense contract on modernization of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov sold to India was signed by Russia in 2004. According to the contract, Russia was supposed to upgrade the ship for $750 mln and deliver an air wing for the same sum. Initially, it was planned to hand over the carrier in 2008, but when the scope of works was increased deadlines were postponed.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , December 20, 2011; Image: shaktiraj