The much-delayed delivery of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia has been further delayed to the last quarter of 2013 as against the envisaged delivery schedule this December, but the total cost of the project would remain at US $2.3 billion at the time of delivery, Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.
“The total project cost for INS Vikramaditya as approved by the government in 2004 was US $974.28 million with delivery scheduled in August 2008. In March 2010, the cost was renegotiated and increased to US $2.3 billion with revised delivery date as December 2012. The total cost of the project would remain at US $2.3 billion at the time of delivery in last quarter of 2013,’’ Defence Minister A. K. Antony said in a written reply.
The 44,500 tonne Kiev class aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, now rechristened INS Vikramaditya, had undergone extensive trials for the first time for 108 days from June to September 2012 with a part of the Indian crew also being on board. A substantial scope of ship’s equipment and aviation trials were also completed during this period.
“However, the main propulsion plant trials to full power could not be completed during sea trials due to defects encountered on boiler section. Rectification of the defect is likely to take six months. Post contract conclusion in 2004, the ship was put to sea for the first time in June 2012 and that is when these defects were encountered,” the Minister said.
On steps to meet operational preparedness of the Navy, the Defence Minister said, “In the interim, the operational requirement of the Navy would be met by INS Viraat, which would remain in service till the induction of Vikramaditya.”
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