Indian Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier Launched and in Sea Trials

WORLD-WIDE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ^ | 8 June 2012 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

The Russian refit of their former Gorshkov VSTOL carrier into the STOBAR Indian Aircraft Carrier Virkamaditya is complete and the vessel has been launched for sea trials.

INS VIKRAMADITYA LAUNCHED FOR SEA TRIALS

Originally the Indian Navy purchased a full wing of new Mig-29K aircraft from Riussia for 1.5 billion (USD) which included the refitting of this 1980s carrier. However cost overruns ensued and ultimately after months of work stoppage, the Russians and Indians agreed to a complete cost for the carrier and the aircraft for 2.8 billion (USD), still a low price.

The Virkamaditya is now launched and in trials and is scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy for commissioning in December 2012. the Indian Navy began taking delivery of and training with their Mig-29K aircraft a year ago.

The Indians are also building two indegenous carriers, the Vikrant Class, the first of which will be launched in 2013.

For more info, seeWorld-wide Aircraft Carriers - Vikramaditya Page

[ravager]

India has already built the indigenous SSBN, the INS Arihant. Its expected to be ready for operational deployment sometime this year.

[sukhoi-30mki]

Make that more like 50 years; the INS Vikrant was inducted in 1961 and pensioned off in 1997.

[Jeff Head]

You are exactly right. The carrier that prceeded the Viraat was also named the Vikrant (which will be the neame of the 1st indegenous carrier) and was another carrier purchased from the UK and used for many years 36 to be exact). She was formerlly a UK Majestic class Carrier built in WWII, the HMS HErcules, launched in 1945 I believe.

Ultimately she carried helos, Sea HArriers, and a prop driven, French ASW aircraft. She was used in the bloackade of East Palisyan in 1971.

She's now preserved as a Museum.