April 30, 200817 yr From DefenseNews Russia Wants $1.2B Boost to Refit Carrier By vivek raghuvanshi Published: 30 Apr 11:37 EDT (07:37 GMT) NEW DELHI - Russia has asked India to increase the price of refitting the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov by as much as $1.2 billion above the contracted amount. Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony officially provided the escalated figure for the first time April 30 in replying to a question in Parliament. "The price escalation proposed by the Russian side is $1,202 million," Antony said. "The process of examination of the scope and necessity for additional work projected by the Russian side has been initiated." Under a contract worth $1.5 billion signed between Russia and India in 2003, Moscow was set to deliver the carrier along with its complement of MiG-29K fighters last August. However, last year, Moscow said the cost of the refit had increased and demanded a higher payment. New Delhi and Moscow have discussed the issue for more than a year, and sources in the Indian Navy say they have no choice but to pay the increase because they need the aircraft carrier to serve the Navy's future plans. The Navy's efforts to develop a blue-water fleet received a serious setback as the two aircraft carriers in the pipelines are not expected to be delivered by 2011-12. The Admiral Gorshkov and the home-grown Air Defense Ship (ADS) have been delayed by more than three years and the only aircraft carrier in service, INS Viraat, is due for decommissioning in 2012. India's strategy called for operating three aircraft carriers to extend its naval footprint from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean rim countries. Currently, the Navy will remain without an aircraft carrier for more than a year as INS Viraat will not be upgraded until mid-2009. The Gorshkov had been contracted for delivery in 2008.
April 30, 200817 yr Author I'll be surprised if India ever gets the Gorshkov. . . . You and me both, and if they ever do, the ship will be of limited utility. Shame, really.
April 30, 200817 yr I'll be surprised if India ever gets the Gorshkov. . . . You and me both, and if they ever do, the ship will be of limited utility. Shame, really. Agreed, every year she sits welded to the pier is a year of potential service life out the window.
May 1, 200817 yr Author Clemenceau already tried to sail to India once already (for scrapping). Was turned back because of all the asbestos aboard.
May 1, 200817 yr Clemenceau already tried to sail to India once already (for scrapping). Was turned back because of all the asbestos aboard. You know it's gotta be pretty bad when the INDIANS send you back for asbestos problems. . . . .
May 1, 200817 yr Author You know it's gotta be pretty bad when the INDIANS send you back for asbestos problems. . . . . No kidding.
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