Indian Defense Minister A. K. Antony (left) shakes hands with Russian Deputy Prime Minister and former defense minister Sergey Ivanov during the sixth meeting of India-Russia intergovernmental commission on military and technical cooperation in New Delhi, January 24, 2007.
Photo: Reuters
|
 |
Aircraft Carrier May Go to Russian Navy
The aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov will be delivered to the Russian Navy instead of going to India after modernization. A source within the Russian military-industrial complex told RBK that Russia and India are now reaching an agreement on changing the conditions of the 2004 contract for the ship's overhaul. Under that contract, India received the hull without charge on condition that it be modernized at Sevmashpredpriyatie. The value of that contract was $1.5 billion.
According to unofficial information, negotiations are currently underway to expand the value of the contract by about $1 billion. “That question is being worked out. If a compromise is not found with India, the aircraft carrier will probably be purchased by the Russian Navy,” the source said.
The Admiral Gorshkov was built in 1978 as the Baku. Its name was changed in 1991. It will be equipped with Russian-Indian Bramos missiles and Russian or Israeli air defense systems after modernization.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
