Russia to deliver aircraft carrier to India in 2013 Q4

Russia will deliver aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Gorshkov) to India in the last quarter of 2013 after refurbishing and sea trials, the Press Information Bureau said Wednesday quoting Defence Minister A K Antony. The aircraft carrier was subjected to extensive trials for the first time for 108 days from June 8 to September 23, 2012, with a part of the Indian crew on board, undergoing training during the sea trials, the minister told India’s Upper House today. A substantial scope of ship’s equipment and aviation trials were completed during this period, the main propulsion plant trials to full power could not be completed due to defects encountered on boiler section. Rectification of the defect is likely to take six months, he said. Russia has been requested to take up necessary measures to ensure delivery of ship in the last quarter of 2013, Antony added.