Article Posted on : - Jul 04, 2013

INS Vikramaditya. Photo: Sevmash shipyard.

MOSCOW (BNS): The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya refitted in Russia for the Indian Navy has set sail for final sea trials.

The warship with a mix of Russian and Indian crew departed for sea trials on Wednesday, a Ria Novosti report said quoting Igor Sevastyanov, deputy head of Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

INS Vikramaditya formerly known as 'Admiral Gorshkov' has been refitted at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia. The ship is expected to be handed over to India later this year after successful completion of the sea trials.

India and Russia signed a $947 million dollar deal in 2005 for its purchase and refit. Delivery of the aircraft carrier has been delayed three times, pushing up the cost of refurbishing the vessel to $2.3 billion.

INS Vikramaditya was originally built as the Soviet Project 1143.4 class aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. The ship has a displacement of 45,000 tons, a maximum speed of 32 knots and an endurance of 13,500 nautical miles (25,000 km) at a cruising speed of 18 knots.