Russia to deliver retrofitted Gorshkov to India in 2012 ?

After months of suspense, Russia will deliver retrofitted Gorshkov aircraft carrier to India in 2012 and talks are on to settle the enhanced price tag which Moscow has been asking for, according to a top arms exporter. "Negotiations are currently underway about the setting up of delivery in 2012 and finalising increasing cost of warship," CEO of Rosoboronexport Corporation Anatoly Isaikin said. He said the Indians understand that the initial price quoted was obviously low and should be revised upwards. The 44-thousand ton Kiev class carrier 'Admiral Gorshkov', under the deal signed in 2004, was to be retrofitted for USD 616 million for induction as 'INS Vikramaditya' in the Indian Navy in August 2008.

The Rosoboronexport official attributed the massive slippage in the project to the deal being signed hastily without proper technical and economic calculations. However, this money was not enough (to complete the work). This is also a lesson for us, Isaikin told government daily 'Rossiskaya Gazeta'. Isaikin, who heads Russia's arms export state monopoly, said half of the work has been completed and Indian naval team is supervising the modernisation work. Earlier, the spokesman of Severodvinsk-based SevMash Shipyard said that India has made some advance payment pending the final price negotiations and the work is at full swing.

Posted in: India,Naval