INS Vikramaditya
The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the former Admiral Gorshkov, is estimated to enter service in the Indian Navy in 2008.
The Vikramaditya is a modified Type 1143 Kiev class aircraft carrier built in 1978-1982.
Purchase
Russia and India came to an agreement over the sale of the ship, the then-Admiral Gorshkov, which they had been haggling over for many years, in 2004, following which the ship is being extensively refitted. It is projected to replace INS Viraat. US$800 million is budgetted for refit and upgrade by the Indian government. Upgrade plans involve stripping all the weaponry from the ship's foredeck, converting her from a hybrid carrier/cruiser to a pure carrier, allowing her to operate the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Sea Harrier aircraft. The deal also includes the purchase of 30 MIG 29K Fulcrum D (Product 9.41) aircraft, six Kamov Ka-31 Helix attack helicopters and reconnaissance anti-submarine helicopters, torpedo tubes, missile systems, and artillery units, costing an additional US$700 million. The ship will be operated in a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Assisted Recovery) configuration, with a 14 degree ski-jump on the bow and three arrestor wires on the stern.
All reconfiguration work is being completed at Severomorsk.
Naming
"Vikramāditya" is Sanskrit for "Almighty"[1] and was the title of some of the most famous kings of in the Indian history, such as the Vikramaditya of Ujjain, famed as a noble ruler and a mighty warrior. It is also a title that was used by the Indian king Chandragupta II who ruled between 375-413/15 AD.
References
See also
External links
- Bharat Rakshak's note on the INS Vikramaditya
- Photos, models & information at Worldwide Aircraft Carriers
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