RN release, seems like all other ship-spotters are on ‘vacation’ en mass. The headline containing “help” is a PR material, but still good. It is for ‘helping’ Vikramaditya in these busy channels that INS Trikand is leading the group.

HMS Monmouth helps mammoth aircraft carrier through Channel
16/12/2013

While the Royal Navy awaits delivery of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, the company of HMS Monmouth has had a taste of things to come.

The 4,900 tonne frigate met up with the newest Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya – weighing in at a massive 45,000 tonnes and helped her safely through the busy English Channel.

Originally built for the Russian Navy as a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier, called Baku in 1987, India procured her in 2004 and she was accepted by the Indian Navy in a commissioning ceremony in November 2013.

Following successful sea trials in July 2013 and aviation trials in September 2013 the carrier began her long journey to her new home of India escorted by auxiliary INS Deepak and Talwar class frigate INS Trikand.

HMS Monmouth’s Operations Officer, Lt Cdr Chris Hollingworth, said:

“I was impressed at the scale the Vikramaditya, which displaces twice as much as HMS Illustrious.

“As the 65,000 tonne Queen Elizabeth Carriers are half as big again we will have quite formidable ships to operate in the near future.”

With HMS Illustrious due to visit India over Christmas the interaction with the Indian’s newest ship could not have been more timely. INS Vikranaditya also paid a visit to Portsmouth Naval base during the summer.

Celebrating her 20th year in commission, the escorting duty is HMS Monmouth’s last commitment before return home to Plymouth to prepare for a major refit throughout 2014.

click for larger images

I am sure the Russian Navy wish they would have been able to kept the ex-Gorshkov.

I think they are still cursing the political negotiator who gave Varyag to the Ukraine… that is what they would have liked to keep and finish.

True and some of them have also expressed openly during various occasion that it was difficult/sad to part with the ship for he had become their child over his days in Severodvinsk. For men outside of uniform this was the view and for the men in uniform, it would have been the same in addition to loosing a chance to own a new operational carrier that had over the past 24 months demonstrated over 200 days of ‘deployment’ covering over 19,500 miles.

Unless the agreement with Russia was negotiated in and paid for in ‘Rupees’, domestic exchange rate fluctuation doesn’t the change the dollar value of the acquisition. A depreciating currency doesn’t make imports cheaper.

:rolleyes:
You may be getting your salary in USD or Euro or in Pounds or in equivalent amount of currency you choose. But there is a reality outside of your understanding which is Indian Republic as a Sovereign nation have its own currency – its called the Indian Rupee. This is the piece of paper on which India runs.
I am sure you have understood absolutely nothing…

Shiv Aroor’s report during the commissioning. His video report was little better & much less biased than the print article he did which was nearly clueless on many stuffs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lmc1qanxPI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_QFvoaq9RI

Sukhoi deal has been a bigger contract than Vikramaditya, but whats truly big about this deal was the size of the product, as Commodore Berry rightly points out in his address to the gathering during the festivity before the commissioning of Vikramaditya.

Mr. Mikhail Bundichenko, Director General, Sevmash; Mr Igor Anatolyvich Orlov Governor, Arkhangelsk region; The Mayor of Severodvinsk; The Deputy Mayor of Severodvinsk; Kontr Admiral Vladimir Mikhaylovich Vorobyev, Commander-in-Chief of the White Sea Naval Base; Mr.Vladimir Semarovich Nikitin, Director General, Zvedochkza; Mr. Alexander Ivanovich Telepnev, Director General, Arktika; Captain Shrinivas, WPS, Warship Overseeing Team; Representatives from ROE, USBC, Dear Russian friends & colleagues, fellow shipmates and my crew of Vikramaditya, Indian Naval families, ladies and Gentlemen.

It is indeed an honour and privilege for me to welcome this August gathering today. On behalf of the Indian naval community, warship overseeing team and Vikramaditya crew, I extend our warm greetings and good wishes and thank you for sparing your precious time to participate in the celebrations that is very special for us.

We wish to sincerely acknowledge the effort, the hard work and to convey our heartfelt thanks to all the people of Sevmash, NDB, Arktika, numerous Russian OEMs, trial agencies, Kamov, MiG, the test pilots of MiG and finally our brothers-in-arms – The Russian Navy, who has made this dream project a success.

These concerts are not new for the people of Severodvinsk, we the personnel of Indian Navy have been part of this lovely city for nearly 15 years. However, today is very special occasion. The Vikramaditya crew, warship overseeing team & our dear Russian friends and professional groups perform together just 5 days prior to the mega event of the commissioning of the largest and the most visible symbol of Russia-India friendship – Project 11430 Vikramaditya.

I compliment our dear Russian friends, all those who have been a part of this project, my fellow Indian Navy personnel and convey congratulations to everyone concerned on this happy occasion

16th November 2013 would be a historic day which would further strengthen the strong bonds of friendship between our countries and constitute a very significant moment for Russia India defence ties. Close cooperation and mutual trust have long been the hallmark of the unique, time tested and deep rooted relation between Russia and India.

Our ties have matured over the years acquiring a qualitative new character as a special and privileged strategic partnership. Our bilateral military-technical cooperation has evolved from a simple buyer-seller relationship into one involving joint research and development as well as joint production of advanced systems.

Examples of this transformation are aplenty. Brahmos missile system, probably the best supersonic missile in the world, which is now very successfully the Russia-India joint project, is fitted on all new ships of the Indian Navy. Transfer of the state-of-art stealth frigates, a nuclear submarine, the MiG-29K and KUB, quality modernisation programme of our submarines and of course the refitting of Vikramaditya are other fine examples of this relationship.

The commissioning of the MiG squadron earlier this year in Goa and now this ship is indeed historic event for which millions of Indian have been eagerly waiting.

On behalf of the Indian Navy, I extend our hearty best wishes to the personnel of Sevmash, Zvezdochka, Arktika, MiG, Kamov, all Russian OEMs, ROE and the design bureaus for their dedicated hard work, commitment and zeal in fulfilling all these challenging projects.

Our very sincere gratitude, thanks and congratulations go out to our brothers-in-arms, the Russian Navy which have worked closely and harmoniously with us and conducted a professional training of a very high order and excellent trials of our ships and submarines.

On this joyful day we convey our very deep appreciation to all the citizens of the beautiful city of Severodvinsk for their warm welcome, hospitality and affection that they have generously extended to all the families of the Indian Navy. We wish all of you continued success, good health, prosperity and togetherness with your families, near and dear ones.

I would also like to thank Director General Sevmash and the Mayor of city for supporting this plan for concert, the director and excellent staff of , who very kindly helped us in organizing this concert, The Governor and the Director Generals of Arktika, Zvezdochka and Admiral Vorobyev for sparing your valuable time for this evening.

I am confident that when we depart these lovely shores we shall carry good memories, friendships and combat skills that would enable us to effectively discharge our duties in the honour and glory of our navy and our great nation – India. We will always have in our hearts the comfort and assurance of the warm and strong bonds of Russia-India friendship. We wish continued success and glory to the Russian nation, peace and prosperity and good health to all its people and may the sun always smile at this great land.

Good Luck. Fair Winds, Following Seas and God Bless You All.
Enjoy the evening.

The ship is going to serve for 40 years as earlier mentioned in some reports and even during the function before the ceremony, Mikhail Bundichenko, Director General Sevmash said the Sevmash will be providing support for maintaining the ship for 40 years. The crew & Indian Navy have been eagerly waiting for his entry into service and have truly made him special.

Just in case anyone missed….they have already created a band for Vikramaditya known as the “ViKings” and there are two songs dedicated to INS Vikramaditya. Vikramaditya Rock Song & Vikramaditya Song (likely official) with completely different wordings and music. Both are extremely good. The official Vikramaditya song is going to be there in ever single person’s heart serving onboard for the next 40 years.