Gorshkov put off to ’13-end, India for ‘wartime approach’

With Russia formally admitting that the Gorshkov aircraft carrier project has been delayed by almost a year due to major engine troubles, India has asked Moscow to adopt a "wartime approach" to expedite delivery as the delay has now become an issue of "national concern".

The delay in the ship's delivery was one of the main issues discussed between Defence Minister A K Antony and his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov in the annual talks.

The media interaction was dominated by Indian concerns on yet another delay in Gorshkov. "We have handed over the revised overhaul and transfer schedule to the Indian side and we believe that transfer of the ship will take place in the fourth quarter of 2013," said Serdyukov, adding that the ship had suffered a major malfunction in the "main power plant and boiler".

India kept up the pressure with Antony asking for a "wartime approach" to repair the ship and contending that the delay had become an issue of national concern.

"In all the meetings, we have conveyed serious concern about the delay.... we suggested that all agencies involved in trials and delivery of the warship must hereafter adopt a wartime approach to complete the trials so that delivery can be as early as possible,"Antony said.

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