The carrier formerly known as “Admiral Gorshkov” has been under reconstruction at Sevmash shipyard since Russia in 2004 signed the agreement to sell and rebuild the vessel to the Indian navy.
The aircraft carrier will leave Sevmash to go for its first sea trials on the night to June 8. The different stages of the trials are expected to take some 120 days, a source at Sevmash says to RIA Novosti. Originally, sea trilas were planned to start in March, BarentsObserver reported.
The official date for delivering to the Indian Navy is December 4.
The carrier has a crew of both Indian and Russian sailors. The Indians will mostly have the role as observers. The vessel’s commander is Captain 1st rank Igor Ryabko.
The reconstruction of the carrier has included widening of the flight deck, construction of a 14 degree takeoff ramp with three aircraft arresting units, reconstruction of the engine from use of fuel oil to diesel.
The vessel, which in Russia has carried the name «Admiral Gorshkov», will in India be known as the «Vikramaditja». The ship entered service in the Soviet Navy in 1987 under the name «Baku». It was taken out of service in 2004, after which the Indian Navy announced its interest in its takeover.
