As expected, the Vikramaditya (Gorshkov) aircraft carrier won’t be ready to join service with the Indian Navy for at least another year. Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov today confirmed that that the ship, which failed sea trials earlier this year, would probably only join service towards the end of next year. My sources in the Indian Navy say the hadn’t expected the delay to be anything less. Also, as expected, the problems with the carrier are more serious than Russia first indicated. Textbook Botch: Gorshkov Carrier Delayed Another Year
As expected, the Vikramaditya (Gorshkov) aircraft carrier won’t be ready to join service with the Indian Navy for at least another year. Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov today confirmed that that the ship, which failed sea trials earlier this year, would probably only join service towards the end of next year. My sources in the Indian Navy say the hadn’t expected the delay to be anything less. Also, as expected, the problems with the carrier are more serious than Russia first indicated.
Don't know what blunder it was to buy this vessel while we had other options.
Lets play a racing game lets see if IAC or the Vikramaditya will be the first to join the Navy in the mean time the Navy should try to at least try to gets ships like the Mistral or make something like it.
Just tow the darn thing back to Indian shore. Fire a Brahmos or two to sink it and get done for god's sake!
The world is laughing at our stupidity! We are not married to Gorkshov to stick with this for so long.
Are their anymore real MEN left in MOD/IN or do we need to bring back Vallabhbhai Patel ?
Waiting for a pic of Varyag with SU-30 on deck now.
there is always that angle that someone in desperately trying to mess up indian party.
what abt a chinese angle , that bought out the engineers in the shipyrd to deliberatly delay the project.
this is an open and shut case.
I still have that doubt whether Russia deliberately delaying this vessel, to please the chinese. Navy should be looking for alternatives now, i don't believe that the Russians will be delivering the vessel before 3 years.
India should scrap the deal altogether..an aircraft carrier with less then 30 combact aircraft and one runway is anyways a sitting duck..vikramaditya will have 16 ..at anytime 2-3 of mig 29 will be in serviciing given the migs records..less than a sqardon strength for a $ 3 billion dollar vessal ( at least $0.7 for interest inflation and bad face ) is a good target ..rather big one for enemy.
Chinas carrier has 32 planes and it will soon make a port call to Karachi to give us wake up call.
India should negotiate for VTOL F 35 and put them on big LPD ..can make 4 or more at same price we are paying for groshkov..or should have partnered with UK and France for aircraft carrier..
"Also, as expected, the problems with the carrier are more serious than Russia first indicated."
This statement says nothing, what problem is more serious than was first indicated?
Russia through Kommersant initally indicated that insulation problems were the cause of the issue with the ships boilers at full power. Articles today are still giving the same explanation and same delay timing.
So I don't see what has become more serious, its not like the ship has any more boilers that could be inadequately insulated does it!
Yeah, this what happens, when your negotiations fails on other side.
The Indian and Russian sides were doing well until concluding the final cost and delivery time.
What failed here is the USSR era with present Russians. Still they are too good (as compared with other friendly nations)
Kitty Hawk, Kitty Hawk, Kitty Hawk!!!
U remember th story of "The Fox and the Grapes". Samajdar ko eshara hi kafi hey.
Almost all Indian defence projects are delayed. LCA, Gorshkov, FGFA, IJT, etc to name a few. While all defence projects across the border in China seem to be florshing. Major difference, they are making (or trying) their future weapons at home and we are getting our stuff made outside or with outside help.
Whosoever approved the purchase of the glue from China, shall now pay the penalty.
If we had given money and time spend on this carrier to some indian shipyard by this time we had atleast the capability to build carrier size ships.(delay will be there of course). I strongly believe overseas defence manufacturers are trying to destroy our indigenous capability and reputation.
Our media is doing a very good job in bashing our industries and helping foreign countries defense.
markets. (Shiv you are an exception)
We could have created 2 brand new ship in cochin shipyard, for the cost of this expensive carrier.
Not to mention mig-29 is a short range aircraft. Holds no chance against su-27 long range fighter operating from vyrag.
when we have the capability to build carrier that can carry mig -29, why are we buying this old ship.
Now the only way out is to buy the carrier, operate some f-35 to counter su-27. other wise this will be a sitting duck. And Navy will be depended on IAF for air cover.
The trials there largely successful, except for the _new_ thermal isolation of the boilers (which was installed by Indian requirements). This problem will be fixed by using proven Russian technology.
Any one should understand that this is a most trivial problem for the vessel as complex as a STOBAR carrier.
After Vikramaditya will be conducted to Indian Navy service, it will be the most powerful ship in it's arsenal, it will be it's flagship, and it will provide a range of new capabilities to the Indian Navy.
In my humble opinion, this is one of the best Indian military procurements of the past decade. Although I'll admit it was very messy, even messier than most of the other Indian military procurement programs.
The trials there largely successful, except for the _new_ thermal isolation of the boilers (which was installed by Indian requirements). This problem will be fixed by using proven Russian technology.
Any one should understand that this is a most trivial problem for the vessel as complex as a STOBAR carrier.
After Vikramaditya will be conducted to Indian Navy service, it will be the most powerful ship in it's arsenal, it will be it's flagship, and it will provide a range of new capabilities to the Indian Navy.
In my humble opinion, this is one of the best Indian military procurements of the past decade. Although I'll admit it was very messy, even messier than most of the other Indian military procurement programs.
I agree with Centurion's view. Something of the magnitude of a STOBAR carrier with suppersonic fighters will have trail issues. We're we expecting smooth & hassle free trails. I don't think so, and that is what many in the Navy & MoD will tell you. The problem will be fixed along with other smaller ones that came up during the trail.
The audience must understand, no country was willing to sell us, let alone lease a functional carrier back in the late 90's. This was the best deal we could manage at that time. Also, during this time, the Russian military establishment was going through their own issues. Huge delays on the requirement front too :-)))
Lessons learn't are for better contract review & management by the MoD and Armed Forces.
This problem will be fixed by using proven Russian technology.
You mean asbestos.
A material that is difficult to handle safely and will increase cancer risks to Indian sailors. A material that is a curse word in every civilized country. Proven Russian technology! What a joke.
In a report submitted to the Indian Parliament on July 24, 2009, the CAG said, “The objective of induction of [Gorshkov] as an aircraft carrier in time to bridge the gap in Indian Navy capabilities has been defeated. The decision to go in for repair and refit of a second-hand ship has become questionable, as a new aircraft carrier would have cost much less and would have had twice the lifespan
@Anonymous 3:29
Yes I mean asbestos.
Were are different types of this material – some much safer (or less dangerous) than the others.
In any case, there are safety measures one can take. If Indian Navy were having serious safety issues with asbestos, I believe they wouldn't go for this option.
@Anonymous 11:11
Speculations of this kind are pointless and misleading at best. No one can say for sure how much it will cost to build a new carrier and how much time it will take until it had already been done. Almost every major and new military program have cost and time issues.
for the land lubbers commenting….pls credit the folks working for mighty ship…..let us not be sarcastic if not in the know