India to ink aircraft carrier deal with Russia next week
NEW DELHI, – India is to ink a deal with Russia to acquire aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov during DefenseMinister A.K. Antony’s visit to Moscow next week, Defense Ministry sources said on Friday.
An aerial port quarter view of the Soviet Kiev class VSTOL aircraft carrier originally named, BAKU (CVHG 103) – Admiral Gorshkov ( LT P.J. AZZOLINA/U.S. Navy)
“Though it has not been disclosed officially, both countries will seal the deal for Admiral Gorshkov when Antony visits Russia on a three-day tour, starting October 13. Russia has demanded 2.9 billion U.S. dollars for the deal. Anyway the final deal is likely to be signed this time,” the sources said.
Apart from signing the deal, Moscow and New Delhi will discuss projects like development of fifth generation fighter aircraft, T-90 tanks and issues relating to supersonic BrahMos missiles.
“All the issues will be taken up by the Defense Minister with his Russian counterpart during the visit,” the sources said.
Admiral Gorshkov was a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy, originally named Baku. In 2004, Russia agreed to sell Admiral Gorshkov to India, though payment details are still being worked out.
As of 2009, Russia is upgrading the ship by stripping all the weaponry from the ship’s foredeck to make way for a Short Take-off recovery configuration. The carrier will be named INS Vikramaditya when it’s commissioned in the Indian Navy. (Xinhua)
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