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What? No one wants to discuss it?
Indian Acquisition of the Gorshkov
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Khalsa
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Gorshkov will be ready for delivery by 2012: Russia
MOSCOW: Russia's Sevmash shipyard, currently retrofitting aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov , on Tuesday said the warship would be ready for transfer to the Indian Navy in 2012 though the price escalation issue is yet to be resolved.
Announcing its readiness to begin sea trials for the carrier in 2011, the shipyard officials said these could be carried "provided all the financial issues are resolved."
"The successful solution of all the financial issues will enable the shipbuilders to sail the aircraft carrier out into the Barents Sea for trials. In the winter of 2012, the ship is expected to be finally refitted and trials will continue in the summer of that year," Sevmash officials were quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
"At the end of 2012, the aircraft carrier is expected to be fully prepared for its transfer to the Indian Navy in accordance with the schedule approved by the Russian Navy," they said.
The Sevmash shipyard which is retrofitting the 44.5 thousand tonne vessel is asking for USD 1.2 billion in addition to the original agreed deal of USD 1.5 billion, which also includes the supply of MiG-29K fighter fleet.
As the talks are deadlocked, the makers of the Mig-29K fighters have indicated that they would begin deliveries of these aircraft on schedule by September this year.
Under a contract worth USD 1.5 billion signed between Russia and India in 2003, Moscow was to deliver the carrier along with its compliment of MiG-29K fighters in August last year.
But just months short of the scheduled delivery, Moscow stunned New Delhi by asking for an increase in cost to almost double, saying the warship needed a lot of additional work and would have to undergo almost a year-long sea trial in Russian waters.
MOSCOW: Russia's Sevmash shipyard, currently retrofitting aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov , on Tuesday said the warship would be ready for transfer to the Indian Navy in 2012 though the price escalation issue is yet to be resolved.
Announcing its readiness to begin sea trials for the carrier in 2011, the shipyard officials said these could be carried "provided all the financial issues are resolved."
"The successful solution of all the financial issues will enable the shipbuilders to sail the aircraft carrier out into the Barents Sea for trials. In the winter of 2012, the ship is expected to be finally refitted and trials will continue in the summer of that year," Sevmash officials were quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
"At the end of 2012, the aircraft carrier is expected to be fully prepared for its transfer to the Indian Navy in accordance with the schedule approved by the Russian Navy," they said.
The Sevmash shipyard which is retrofitting the 44.5 thousand tonne vessel is asking for USD 1.2 billion in addition to the original agreed deal of USD 1.5 billion, which also includes the supply of MiG-29K fighter fleet.
As the talks are deadlocked, the makers of the Mig-29K fighters have indicated that they would begin deliveries of these aircraft on schedule by September this year.
Under a contract worth USD 1.5 billion signed between Russia and India in 2003, Moscow was to deliver the carrier along with its compliment of MiG-29K fighters in August last year.
But just months short of the scheduled delivery, Moscow stunned New Delhi by asking for an increase in cost to almost double, saying the warship needed a lot of additional work and would have to undergo almost a year-long sea trial in Russian waters.
Keysersoze
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Let me help you out here Khalsa as you seem to think that your title is accurate.
I'll highlight the relevant parts of your article
MOSCOW: Russia's Sevmash shipyard, currently retrofitting aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov , on Tuesday said the warship would be ready for transfer to the Indian Navy in 2012 though the price escalation issue is yet to be resolved.
They haven't resolved it so the date is only accurate if the Russians get paid.
Announcing its readiness to begin sea trials for the carrier in 2011, the shipyard officials said these could be carried "provided all the financial issues are resolved."
So what the article (which you have not linked) is saying is that the Russians will deliver if the Indians pay up .........
I'll highlight the relevant parts of your article
MOSCOW: Russia's Sevmash shipyard, currently retrofitting aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov , on Tuesday said the warship would be ready for transfer to the Indian Navy in 2012 though the price escalation issue is yet to be resolved.
They haven't resolved it so the date is only accurate if the Russians get paid.
Announcing its readiness to begin sea trials for the carrier in 2011, the shipyard officials said these could be carried "provided all the financial issues are resolved."
So what the article (which you have not linked) is saying is that the Russians will deliver if the Indians pay up .........
ejaz007
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Gorshkov will be ready for delivery by 2012: Russia
3 Jun 2008, 2027 hrs IST,PTI
MOSCOW: Russia's Sevmash shipyard, currently retrofitting aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov , on Tuesday said the warship would be ready for transfer to the Indian Navy in 2012 though the price escalation issue is yet to be resolved.
Announcing its readiness to begin sea trials for the carrier in 2011, the shipyard officials said these could be carried "provided all the financial issues are resolved."
"The successful solution of all the financial issues will enable the shipbuilders to sail the aircraft carrier out into the Barents Sea for trials. In the winter of 2012, the ship is expected to be finally refitted and trials will continue in the summer of that year," Sevmash officials were quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
"At the end of 2012, the aircraft carrier is expected to be fully prepared for its transfer to the Indian Navy in accordance with the schedule approved by the Russian Navy," they said.
The Sevmash shipyard which is retrofitting the 44.5 thousand tonne vessel is asking for USD 1.2 billion in addition to the original agreed deal of USD 1.5 billion, which also includes the supply of MiG-29K fighter fleet.
As the talks are deadlocked, the makers of the Mig-29K fighters have indicated that they would begin deliveries of these aircraft on schedule by September this year.
Under a contract worth USD 1.5 billion signed between Russia and India in 2003, Moscow was to deliver the carrier along with its compliment of MiG-29K fighters in August last year.
But just months short of the scheduled delivery, Moscow stunned New Delhi by asking for an increase in cost to almost double, saying the warship needed a lot of additional work and would have to undergo almost a year-long sea trial in Russian waters.
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::
3 Jun 2008, 2027 hrs IST,PTI
MOSCOW: Russia's Sevmash shipyard, currently retrofitting aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov , on Tuesday said the warship would be ready for transfer to the Indian Navy in 2012 though the price escalation issue is yet to be resolved.
Announcing its readiness to begin sea trials for the carrier in 2011, the shipyard officials said these could be carried "provided all the financial issues are resolved."
"The successful solution of all the financial issues will enable the shipbuilders to sail the aircraft carrier out into the Barents Sea for trials. In the winter of 2012, the ship is expected to be finally refitted and trials will continue in the summer of that year," Sevmash officials were quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.
"At the end of 2012, the aircraft carrier is expected to be fully prepared for its transfer to the Indian Navy in accordance with the schedule approved by the Russian Navy," they said.
The Sevmash shipyard which is retrofitting the 44.5 thousand tonne vessel is asking for USD 1.2 billion in addition to the original agreed deal of USD 1.5 billion, which also includes the supply of MiG-29K fighter fleet.
As the talks are deadlocked, the makers of the Mig-29K fighters have indicated that they would begin deliveries of these aircraft on schedule by September this year.
Under a contract worth USD 1.5 billion signed between Russia and India in 2003, Moscow was to deliver the carrier along with its compliment of MiG-29K fighters in August last year.
But just months short of the scheduled delivery, Moscow stunned New Delhi by asking for an increase in cost to almost double, saying the warship needed a lot of additional work and would have to undergo almost a year-long sea trial in Russian waters.
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::
Khalsa
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First of all I didnt create the title, I just post the news.
Secondly what makes you think that pricing issue can not be resolved before that 2012? Yes, it might look little bleak at this moment but never say never and current aircraft being on its last leg, India "NEEDS" Gorshkov.
Secondly what makes you think that pricing issue can not be resolved before that 2012? Yes, it might look little bleak at this moment but never say never and current aircraft being on its last leg, India "NEEDS" Gorshkov.
Khalsa
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Delivery of this AC has been delayed before and like I said current AC is on its last leg. India will pay extra money that Russian has been asking for and therefore India will push hard Russians to meet this dead line.
ejaz007
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The article is very long. I have only pasted the updates:
Updates & Contracts:
June 3/08:
Press Trust of India reports that Russias Sevmash shipyard has promised readiness by 2012 maybe. RIA Novosti quotes Sevmash officials as saying that:
The successful solution of all the financial issues will enable the shipbuilders to sail the aircraft carrier out into the Barents Sea for trials. In the winter of 2012, the ship is expected to be finally refitted and trials will continue in the summer of that year At the end of 2012, the aircraft carrier is expected to be fully prepared for its transfer to the Indian navy in accordance with the schedule approved by the Russian Navy.
Negotiations and maneuvering around the contracts final details continue, and Sevmashs history of delivery, detailed below, must also be considered when evaluating such statements.
June 2/08:
Defense News reports that Indias MiG-29Ks will be based on land, because the country has no operational. With INS Viraat unavailable due to upgrades and Vikramaditya badly behind schedule, the MiG-29Ks will go to the Naval Aviation Centre at INS Hansa in Goa instead. Hansa is the based used to train naval pilots. Deliveries of all 16 MiG-29Ks are expected to be complete by 2009.
May 30/08:
Reuters reports that American Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was asked about rumours that the USS Kitty Hawk might be sold to India at the at the Shangri-La Dialogue forum of regional analysts, defense and security officials. I am aware of no such plans, Gates replied.
May 9/08:
News Post Indias Indian Navy To Order Another Aircraft Carrier claims that the Indian Navy will supplement the Vikramaditya with 2 of its 37,500t indigenous Air Defence Ship carriers, instead of just one. The article also includes additional information about the Vikramadityas schedule and the potential risks.
INS Vikramaditya Hits Delay, Cost Increases
Updates & Contracts:
June 3/08:
Press Trust of India reports that Russias Sevmash shipyard has promised readiness by 2012 maybe. RIA Novosti quotes Sevmash officials as saying that:
The successful solution of all the financial issues will enable the shipbuilders to sail the aircraft carrier out into the Barents Sea for trials. In the winter of 2012, the ship is expected to be finally refitted and trials will continue in the summer of that year At the end of 2012, the aircraft carrier is expected to be fully prepared for its transfer to the Indian navy in accordance with the schedule approved by the Russian Navy.
Negotiations and maneuvering around the contracts final details continue, and Sevmashs history of delivery, detailed below, must also be considered when evaluating such statements.
June 2/08:
Defense News reports that Indias MiG-29Ks will be based on land, because the country has no operational. With INS Viraat unavailable due to upgrades and Vikramaditya badly behind schedule, the MiG-29Ks will go to the Naval Aviation Centre at INS Hansa in Goa instead. Hansa is the based used to train naval pilots. Deliveries of all 16 MiG-29Ks are expected to be complete by 2009.
May 30/08:
Reuters reports that American Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was asked about rumours that the USS Kitty Hawk might be sold to India at the at the Shangri-La Dialogue forum of regional analysts, defense and security officials. I am aware of no such plans, Gates replied.
May 9/08:
News Post Indias Indian Navy To Order Another Aircraft Carrier claims that the Indian Navy will supplement the Vikramaditya with 2 of its 37,500t indigenous Air Defence Ship carriers, instead of just one. The article also includes additional information about the Vikramadityas schedule and the potential risks.
INS Vikramaditya Hits Delay, Cost Increases
ejaz007
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Russia to drive hard bargain for aircraft carrier
Russia will drive a hard bargain in renegotiating the price of an aircraft carrier the Indian Navy has purchased and for which Moscow is seeking $1.2 billion over and above the $1.5 billion that had been agreed on, the country's envoy here says.
Russia will drive a hard bargain in renegotiating the price of an aircraft carrier the Indian Navy has purchased and for which Moscow is seeking $1.2 billion over and above the $1.5 billion that had been agreed on, the country's envoy here says.
And, in a clear indication that the defence ties between the two countries were not what they were, Ambassador Vyacheslav I. Trubnikov hedged his bets on transferring technology for the T-90 main battle tank and for the cryogenic engine of the BrahMos cruise missile that India and Russia have jointly developed.
Trubnikov was addressing a press conference after inaugurating a swanky Russian Information Centre here Tuesday.
'It's a complicated issue. There are objective and subjective factors,' the ambassador said while referring to the negotiations underway on the Russian demand for more money for the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov that has been renamed INS Vikramaditya.
'Our economy was in a very different condition (when negotiations for the ship had begun). Our shipyards were out of work. We agreed to the hard deal struck by the Indians,' the ambassador maintained.
'The reality is very different today. When we look at the figures, they are unrealistic as the scope of the work (involved in refurbishing the ship) was grossly underestimated,' Trubnikov added.
Under the original deal, India was to buy the carrier for $1.5 billion. Of this, $970 million was meant for the refurbishment of the vessel that has been mothballed since a devastating fire in the mid-1990s. The remaining $530 million was meant for the MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov surveillance and anti-submarine warfare helicopters that will be deployed on the vessel.
The increased cost, the Russians now say, has been necessitated by the new engines and boilers the ship requires, 'hundreds of miles' of cabling, the strengthening of the flight deck, refurbishing the arrester wires and other safety equipment, as also the extensive sea trials the ship will have to undergo after the refit.
Indian officials admit they would have to fork out more for the vessel but are not too sure of the figure.
'The figure of $970 million is perhaps not seriously doable,' Defence Secretary Vijay Singh had said in February on his return here from Moscow after discussions with the Russian authorities.
Independent analysts here point out that even if India were to meet the entire demand for the additional $1.2 billion, at $2.7 billion the ship would come at a bargain as the cost of building a new aircraft carrier is in the region of $4 billion.
Even as the price renegotiations are to conclude, work on refurbishing the ship is on in full swing at the Sevmash shipyard, one of Russia's oldest and where most of its nuclear submarines have been built. The yard has 28,000 workers, of whom 1,200 have been deployed on the Vikramaditya.
The vessel's 18-month sea trials are to begin in 2010, with delivery scheduled for 2012.
On the question of technology transfer, the ambassador chose his words with care.
'This is a technical issue that has to be addressed by the experts,' Trubnikov said.
India had purchased 310 T-90 tanks in 2001 and was to produce another 1,000 under licence. However, delays in the technology transfer prompted India to sign a contract with Russia in 2006 for 347 tanks to ensure adequate force levels.
In the case of the BrahMos missile, India's defence scientists have repeatedly complained that Russia is not living up to its promise to transfer technology for its cryogenic engine.
'We have not got full technology transfer of the (missile's) engines,' C.G. Krishnadas Nair, a former chairman of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), had said at a seminar here that Defence Minister A.K. Antony inaugurated.
'We must have access to total technology. This denial is a serious matter,' Nair said, adding: 'No one should hold the other to ransom.'
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::
Russia will drive a hard bargain in renegotiating the price of an aircraft carrier the Indian Navy has purchased and for which Moscow is seeking $1.2 billion over and above the $1.5 billion that had been agreed on, the country's envoy here says.
Russia will drive a hard bargain in renegotiating the price of an aircraft carrier the Indian Navy has purchased and for which Moscow is seeking $1.2 billion over and above the $1.5 billion that had been agreed on, the country's envoy here says.
And, in a clear indication that the defence ties between the two countries were not what they were, Ambassador Vyacheslav I. Trubnikov hedged his bets on transferring technology for the T-90 main battle tank and for the cryogenic engine of the BrahMos cruise missile that India and Russia have jointly developed.
Trubnikov was addressing a press conference after inaugurating a swanky Russian Information Centre here Tuesday.
'It's a complicated issue. There are objective and subjective factors,' the ambassador said while referring to the negotiations underway on the Russian demand for more money for the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov that has been renamed INS Vikramaditya.
'Our economy was in a very different condition (when negotiations for the ship had begun). Our shipyards were out of work. We agreed to the hard deal struck by the Indians,' the ambassador maintained.
'The reality is very different today. When we look at the figures, they are unrealistic as the scope of the work (involved in refurbishing the ship) was grossly underestimated,' Trubnikov added.
Under the original deal, India was to buy the carrier for $1.5 billion. Of this, $970 million was meant for the refurbishment of the vessel that has been mothballed since a devastating fire in the mid-1990s. The remaining $530 million was meant for the MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov surveillance and anti-submarine warfare helicopters that will be deployed on the vessel.
The increased cost, the Russians now say, has been necessitated by the new engines and boilers the ship requires, 'hundreds of miles' of cabling, the strengthening of the flight deck, refurbishing the arrester wires and other safety equipment, as also the extensive sea trials the ship will have to undergo after the refit.
Indian officials admit they would have to fork out more for the vessel but are not too sure of the figure.
'The figure of $970 million is perhaps not seriously doable,' Defence Secretary Vijay Singh had said in February on his return here from Moscow after discussions with the Russian authorities.
Independent analysts here point out that even if India were to meet the entire demand for the additional $1.2 billion, at $2.7 billion the ship would come at a bargain as the cost of building a new aircraft carrier is in the region of $4 billion.
Even as the price renegotiations are to conclude, work on refurbishing the ship is on in full swing at the Sevmash shipyard, one of Russia's oldest and where most of its nuclear submarines have been built. The yard has 28,000 workers, of whom 1,200 have been deployed on the Vikramaditya.
The vessel's 18-month sea trials are to begin in 2010, with delivery scheduled for 2012.
On the question of technology transfer, the ambassador chose his words with care.
'This is a technical issue that has to be addressed by the experts,' Trubnikov said.
India had purchased 310 T-90 tanks in 2001 and was to produce another 1,000 under licence. However, delays in the technology transfer prompted India to sign a contract with Russia in 2006 for 347 tanks to ensure adequate force levels.
In the case of the BrahMos missile, India's defence scientists have repeatedly complained that Russia is not living up to its promise to transfer technology for its cryogenic engine.
'We have not got full technology transfer of the (missile's) engines,' C.G. Krishnadas Nair, a former chairman of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), had said at a seminar here that Defence Minister A.K. Antony inaugurated.
'We must have access to total technology. This denial is a serious matter,' Nair said, adding: 'No one should hold the other to ransom.'
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::
nitesh
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ejaz007
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Russian Defence Minister Serdyukov to Renegotiate INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) Deal
Dated 9/9/2008
The ongoing price negotiations for the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier will get a fillip this month-end when Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov visits India to attend the 8th round of an inter-governmental commission.
"The Russian Defence Minister will be in New Delhi from September 28 to 30 to co-chair the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation," Defence Ministry sources said here today.
Indian Defence Minister A K Antony will be the other chairperson for the annual meeting, which was last held in Moscow in September 2007.
There would be delegation-level meetings between the two Defence Ministers, apart from a visit by Serdyukov to BrahMos Aerospace Limited complex here in New Delhi. BrahMos is an Indo-Russian joint venture for design, development and marketing of cruise missiles.
The meeting is taking place in the backdrop of the two countries coming close to renegotiating the key Gorshkov aircraft carrier (re-christened INS Vikramaditya) deal, with New Delhi considering the Russian demand for a staggering US 1.2 billion dollar hike in the price of the warship.
The ship was sold to India for US 1.5 billion dollar by Russia on the condition that its refit would be done in the Sevmash shipyard there to which India agreed.
But there have been problems with the shipyard delaying the delivery of the aircraft carrier, which is crucial for Indian Navy's operational plans, to 2012.
Russian Defence Minister Serdyukov to Renegotiate INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) Deal | India Defence
Dated 9/9/2008
The ongoing price negotiations for the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier will get a fillip this month-end when Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov visits India to attend the 8th round of an inter-governmental commission.
"The Russian Defence Minister will be in New Delhi from September 28 to 30 to co-chair the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation," Defence Ministry sources said here today.
Indian Defence Minister A K Antony will be the other chairperson for the annual meeting, which was last held in Moscow in September 2007.
There would be delegation-level meetings between the two Defence Ministers, apart from a visit by Serdyukov to BrahMos Aerospace Limited complex here in New Delhi. BrahMos is an Indo-Russian joint venture for design, development and marketing of cruise missiles.
The meeting is taking place in the backdrop of the two countries coming close to renegotiating the key Gorshkov aircraft carrier (re-christened INS Vikramaditya) deal, with New Delhi considering the Russian demand for a staggering US 1.2 billion dollar hike in the price of the warship.
The ship was sold to India for US 1.5 billion dollar by Russia on the condition that its refit would be done in the Sevmash shipyard there to which India agreed.
But there have been problems with the shipyard delaying the delivery of the aircraft carrier, which is crucial for Indian Navy's operational plans, to 2012.
Russian Defence Minister Serdyukov to Renegotiate INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) Deal | India Defence
Marshal
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Russia loans $250 mn for Gorshkov work
The Russian government has loaned $250 million to the Sevmash shipyard to ensure that rebuilding work on aircraft carrier Gorshkov - to be operational as INS Vikramaditya under the Indian Navy - continues without any interruption.
Although the Russian government has demanded an additional $1.2 billion from India for the 45,000 tonne Gorshkov, it extended the credit to the shipyard - where the vessel has been lying for 12 years - as an interim measure till an agreement with India is finalised, according to a report in the coming issue of the India Strategic defence magazine.
The Russian government has also asked the yard to ensure that there were adequate personnel to continue work on the ship, which has been disrupted for several reasons, including lack of funds, wear and tear of assets, and a shortage of trained personnel, many of whom had left to join other companies.
Sevmash, located in arctic Russia, has now recruited workers and engineers from across Russia and at the same time abandoned some other projects, including a floating nuclear plant, to ensure that the work on the much-delayed Gorshkov project does not suffer any more.
The main hull work on the vessel is already done, and new equipment is being installed while the interior re-planning is under way. Indian officials continue to be posted at the generally wintry yard to monitor the work and to make sure that it is in accordance with the Naval Staff Requirements, or specifications drawn up by the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi.
Work would continue in full swing till November when the cold sets in, but the effort would be to maintain the pace.
Contracted for acquisition in 2004 at a cost of $750 million, inclusive of the refit and 16 Mig 29K shipboard aircraft, Gorshkov should have been delivered in 2008, but will now be ready only in 2011 for sea trials. Ka-28 ASW and Ka-31electronic surveillance helicopters and onboard sensors are part of the package.
The Russians are delivering the Mig 29Ks from 2009, however, and Indian pilots would start training on them, initially in Russia and later in India. It takes roughly five years to train a pilot from the beginning and as these aircraft would be available well in time, this would give the naval pilots ample opportunity to be fully operational on them and be ready from Day One when the aircraft carrier comes under the Indian flag.
The vessel is also being designed to connect with other aircraft with Indian forces, and the onboard electronics package has accordingly been worked out in that configuration. The exact weapons package, including the capability to fire the Indo-Russian BrahMos cruise missiles, will be finalised some time later though.
Notably, the sea trials will take one year, and in 2012 end or 2013, Gorshkov will really be operational as INS Vikramaditya under the Indian Navy flag.
The Russian demand for more money is beyond the original contract, but the Indian government has agreed in principle to pay more as a gesture of goodwill towards an old and reliable friend. But how much, that is still being worked out.
The India Strategic report says that the final payment could be in accordance with how the Russians have itemised the additional expenditure they are demanding.
Moscow has said the additional demand was made as the Sevmesh shipyard had miscalculated the costs in refurbishing the ship.
The Gorshkov project is also seen by many as a test of Sevmash's ability to build aircraft carriers, and its success will be of key importance in deciding whether the shipyard will be chosen to build advanced carriers for Russia.
The project is important not only to maintain good relations with the Indian Navy but is also an exercise in reality checks now as Moscow has decided to build six large aircraft carriers for the Russian Navy in a resurgence of what was once the Soviet naval might.
The ship is named after the famous architect of the Soviet Navy during the Cold War, Admiral Sergei Georgievich Gorshkov, who was also instrumental in giving missiles to the Indian Navy, as also a nuclear submarine - INS Chakra - albeit for training purposes.
The Indian Navy has sanction for two more aircraft carriers, one of which is under construction at the Cochin shipyard. The decision for the third vessel is yet to be finalised.Russia loans $250 mn for Gorshkov work www.idrw.org / Indian Defense Research Wing
The Russian government has loaned $250 million to the Sevmash shipyard to ensure that rebuilding work on aircraft carrier Gorshkov - to be operational as INS Vikramaditya under the Indian Navy - continues without any interruption.
Although the Russian government has demanded an additional $1.2 billion from India for the 45,000 tonne Gorshkov, it extended the credit to the shipyard - where the vessel has been lying for 12 years - as an interim measure till an agreement with India is finalised, according to a report in the coming issue of the India Strategic defence magazine.
The Russian government has also asked the yard to ensure that there were adequate personnel to continue work on the ship, which has been disrupted for several reasons, including lack of funds, wear and tear of assets, and a shortage of trained personnel, many of whom had left to join other companies.
Sevmash, located in arctic Russia, has now recruited workers and engineers from across Russia and at the same time abandoned some other projects, including a floating nuclear plant, to ensure that the work on the much-delayed Gorshkov project does not suffer any more.
The main hull work on the vessel is already done, and new equipment is being installed while the interior re-planning is under way. Indian officials continue to be posted at the generally wintry yard to monitor the work and to make sure that it is in accordance with the Naval Staff Requirements, or specifications drawn up by the Naval Headquarters in New Delhi.
Work would continue in full swing till November when the cold sets in, but the effort would be to maintain the pace.
Contracted for acquisition in 2004 at a cost of $750 million, inclusive of the refit and 16 Mig 29K shipboard aircraft, Gorshkov should have been delivered in 2008, but will now be ready only in 2011 for sea trials. Ka-28 ASW and Ka-31electronic surveillance helicopters and onboard sensors are part of the package.
The Russians are delivering the Mig 29Ks from 2009, however, and Indian pilots would start training on them, initially in Russia and later in India. It takes roughly five years to train a pilot from the beginning and as these aircraft would be available well in time, this would give the naval pilots ample opportunity to be fully operational on them and be ready from Day One when the aircraft carrier comes under the Indian flag.
The vessel is also being designed to connect with other aircraft with Indian forces, and the onboard electronics package has accordingly been worked out in that configuration. The exact weapons package, including the capability to fire the Indo-Russian BrahMos cruise missiles, will be finalised some time later though.
Notably, the sea trials will take one year, and in 2012 end or 2013, Gorshkov will really be operational as INS Vikramaditya under the Indian Navy flag.
The Russian demand for more money is beyond the original contract, but the Indian government has agreed in principle to pay more as a gesture of goodwill towards an old and reliable friend. But how much, that is still being worked out.
The India Strategic report says that the final payment could be in accordance with how the Russians have itemised the additional expenditure they are demanding.
Moscow has said the additional demand was made as the Sevmesh shipyard had miscalculated the costs in refurbishing the ship.
The Gorshkov project is also seen by many as a test of Sevmash's ability to build aircraft carriers, and its success will be of key importance in deciding whether the shipyard will be chosen to build advanced carriers for Russia.
The project is important not only to maintain good relations with the Indian Navy but is also an exercise in reality checks now as Moscow has decided to build six large aircraft carriers for the Russian Navy in a resurgence of what was once the Soviet naval might.
The ship is named after the famous architect of the Soviet Navy during the Cold War, Admiral Sergei Georgievich Gorshkov, who was also instrumental in giving missiles to the Indian Navy, as also a nuclear submarine - INS Chakra - albeit for training purposes.
The Indian Navy has sanction for two more aircraft carriers, one of which is under construction at the Cochin shipyard. The decision for the third vessel is yet to be finalised.Russia loans $250 mn for Gorshkov work www.idrw.org / Indian Defense Research Wing
ejaz007
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Its a long article and update only has been posted.
Sept 21/08: Still no firm deal on the Gorshkov refit, but Indias Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) has given approval in principle to add another 29 MiG-29Ks to the original 16-plane, $1.5 billion deal.
No price negotiations have taken place, but the contract is expected to be worth close to $2 billion. The Navy is reported to have set its sights on a 3-squadron goal for its MiG-29K/KUB force. Indian Express report.
INS Vikramaditya Hits Delay, Cost Increases
Sept 21/08: Still no firm deal on the Gorshkov refit, but Indias Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) has given approval in principle to add another 29 MiG-29Ks to the original 16-plane, $1.5 billion deal.
No price negotiations have taken place, but the contract is expected to be worth close to $2 billion. The Navy is reported to have set its sights on a 3-squadron goal for its MiG-29K/KUB force. Indian Express report.
INS Vikramaditya Hits Delay, Cost Increases
it may never come, putin wants a cruiser for his glider landing with his athlete partner
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