Gorshkov: Medvedev on his way, Centre okays price renegotiation

Top Government sources said the CCS finally decided in favour of purchasing Admiral Gorshkov as it was the best option available to New Delhi with more than 65 per cent of Indian Navy made up of Russian built frigates, destroyers and submarines. Further, any friction with the Russians on the Gorshkov issue could also jeopardise future military hardware purchases, including the Akula-class nuclear submarine. The fact that the Chinese Navy is also expanding at a rapid pace also worked in favour of the Russian ship.

The CCS mandated the Defence Ministry to renegotiate and freeze the contract as New Delhi has already paid $500 million to the Sevmash shipyard for the ship and there was no way that Indian shipyards could handle the upgradation of the warship with integration of weapons platforms and radars. It was due to this factor that the Government set aside the option of cancelling the contract. This decision would be conveyed to the Russian President Medvedev when he arrives in India for summit level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during December 4-6.

Sources said even though the final price of Gorshkov was still to be worked out, it will cost the Indian exchequer a minimum of $2.2 billion. Already, the work to be done on the ship has been identified between the two sides and construction should begin in earnest after the purchase agreement is sealed. The ship will now be constructed by 2010, sea trial and weapons should be over by 2011 and the transfer to the Indian Navy the next year. When commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya, it would replace INS Viraat, India’s sole aircraft carrier that will be decommissioned by 2010. When delivered the ship would be carrying 12 MiG-29 K fighters, 4 dual-seat MiG-29 KUB, six Kamov-27, Kamov 31 helicopters and will have a life span of 30 years.