Thanks for the update JonS.. I had heard about the LST’s in the discussions on BR.. but always was under the impression that these had to be built in future.. did’nt knew there were under construction..
btw.. watch out.. Katare posted this on BR..
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050404-034527-3633r.htm
The Indian navy has sent 10 naval officers to Russia’s Sevmash naval wharf in Severodvinsk to monitor the refit of the 44,000-ton aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov for the Indian navy. The Indian specialists, who arrived in Severodvinsk with their families, will remain until work under the bilateral contract is completed in 2008. A second group of permanent observers will arrive in Severodvinsk from India in two weeks, to eventually be followed by about 1,500 Indian sailors, who will arrive in Severodvinsk for training. India and Russia signed the $1.5 billion contract in January 2004; under its terms, the hull of the Admiral Gorshkov is being transferred to India, but New Delhi is paying all the costs of the refit. The vessel is being fitted new navigation and radar equipment, its flight deck is being extended and a catapult is being laid in the deck to accelerate the take-off of carrier-borne aircraft. It is also being outfitted with Indian-built Brahmos anti-ship missile systems, designed jointly by Russia and India and capable of destroying targets over 300 miles away along with Russian short- and long-range anti-aircraft missile systems. The Indians are also paying for the crew’s training in Russia and creating the infrastructure for a carrier base in the Indian Ocean. The largest element in the contract is the $740 million purchase of 16 Russian MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB carrier-borne fighters, which will be delivered starting in 2007 and continuing until 2009. Five Ka-31 helicopters will also be based on the carrier’s deck. According to reports from New Delhi, India intends to add another locally built carrier to its fleet by 2011. India’s current carrier, the Virat, will remain in commission for another seven to eight years.
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