INS Vikramaditya is going to take the sea for very important pre-induction trials on June 8. The extensively modernised former Soviet-era carrier Admiral Gorshkov was scheduled to take the sea from the Sevmash shipyard on May 25th. However poor weather forecast delayed the ship’s trials.

But, according to the Sevmash shipyard, the delay will not affect the scheduled delivery of the aircraft carrier to the Indian Navy in December.

The contract for modernization of aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov (renamed into INS Vikramaditya) for Indian Navy was tied in 2004. It became the largest export contract in Russian-Indian military technical cooperation. Initially, modernization was evaluated as $616 mln, and the ship was planned to join the Indian Navy in 2008. However, due to increased scope of works, the ship’s delivery date was postponed for 2012.

More than 400 subcontractors were involved in the project, including 10 Indian companies which supplied communication systems, protective coating, a telephone exchange, life rafts, pumps, hygiene and galley equipment, and many more.

The INS Vikramaditya would be a 90-per cent new ship and remain in service for 40 years after all the major retrofitting has been completed.