The Hindu : Gorshkov to fill `critical void'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 08, 2004

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Gorshkov to fill `critical void'

By Our Special Correspondent

An undated file picture of the aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov.

NEW DELHI, FEB. 7. The acquisition of the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov, will fill a ``critical void'' created by the marginal residual life of the present aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, and the likelihood of an indigenous carrier entering service only after seven to eight years, according to the Government.

This reasoning compelled the Government to ink a pact for repairing the immobilised Russian carrier at a cost of close to Rs. 5,000 crores.

Additional expenditure will be incurred for purchasing fighter aircraft and helicopters that will be housed on the deck since indigenous attempts in this direction have been beset with delays, as is the case with building an Indian aircraft carrier.

After the decommissioning of the INS Vikrant in 1997, only the INS Viraat is in service as against the Indian Navy's operational requirement of two aircraft carriers.

The Gorshkov is expected to enter service after four years and the Navy has estimated its service life at 20 years despite the fact that it has been berthed for eight years and deterioration has occurred in the ship's hull and systems.

It will now be converted into a ship capable of operating both fighters and helicopters.

Since the ship was originally designed for very short take-offs and landings, it is being re-fitted with a ski jump and an arrestor gear system to enable MiG-29Ks to operate from its deck.

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