INS Vikramaditya
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| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Builder: | Chernomorsky Shipyard |
| Expected Commissioning Year: | August 2008 |
| General Characteristics | |
| Machinery: | 4 shaft geared steam turbines, 140,000 hp |
| Length: | 273.1 m |
| Draft: | 8.2 m |
| Beam: | 31.0 m |
| Displacement: | 44,570 tons (full) |
| Maximum Speed: | 32 knots |
| Maximum Range: | 13,500 nautical miles at 18 knots |
| Aircraft: |
|
| Complement: | ? |
| Armament: | 8x CADS-N-1 Kashtan CIWS |
The aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the former Admiral Gorshkov, is estimated to enter service in the Indian Navy in 2008.
"Vikramāditya" is Sanskrit for "Almighty" [literally Vikramaditya translates as Sun (aditya) of Strength (vikram)] and was the name of one of the most famous kings of Indian mythology who was famed as a noble ruler and a mighty warrior. It is also another name for the Indian king Chandragupta II who ruled bewtween 375-413/15 AD. The component "āditya" = "sun" literally means "he who belongs to Aditi".
The Vikramaditya is a Type 1143 Kiev class aircraft carrier built in 1978-1982.
[edit] Purchase
Russia and India came to an agreement over the sale of the ship, the then Admiral Gorshkov, which they had been haggling over for many years, in 2004, following which the ship is being extensively refitted. It is projected to replace INS Viraat. US$800 million is budgetted for refit and upgrade by the Indian government. Upgrade plans involve stripping all the weaponry from the ship's foredeck, converting her from a hybrid carrier/cruiser to a pure carrier, allowing her to operate the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Sea Harrier aircraft. The deal also includes the purchase of 30 MIG 29K Fulcrum D (Product 9.41) aircraft, six Kamov Ka-31 Helix attack helicopters and reconnaissance anti-submarine helicopters, torpedo tubes, missile systems, and artillery units, costing an additional US$700 million. The ship will be operated in a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Assisted Recovery) configuration, with a 14 degree ski-jump on the bow and three arrestor wires on the stern.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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