The Indian Navy's Russian-built aircraft carrier
Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) began sea trials early on Friday
morning in the White Sea - four years after it
was originally due to take to sea again.
The ship was refitted at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia
A mixed Russian-Indian crew is on board the vessel, with the
Indian sailors learning how to operate the vessel. After initial sea trials in
the White Sea the ship will sail to the Barents Sea
for exercises with military aircraft.
Sevmash shipyard director Vladimir Pastukhov, was fired in
2007 over his poor management of the project.
The Vikramaditya was originally built as the Soviet Project 1143.4 class aircraft carrier
Admiral Gorshkov.
The ship was laid down in 1978 at the Nikolayev South
shipyard in Ukraine
It was renamed after the collapse of the Soviet
Union in 1991. In 1994, the Admiral Gorshkov sat in dock for a
year for repairs after a boiler room explosion. In 1995, it briefly returned to
service but was was finally withdrawn and put up for sale in 1996.
The ship has a displacement of 45,000 tons, a maximum speed
of 32 knots and an endurance of 13,500 nautical miles (25,000 km) at a cruising
speed of 18 knots.
The MiG-29K was reportedly selected over the larger and
more-capable Su-33 naval fighter because India
I have no knowledge of warfare or defence and wondering if you can help with my question:
BalasHapusIn times when long range missiles are capable of reaching any destination on planet, Why would any nation invest so much in acquiring an Air Craft Carrier?
What is the core purpose of having an Air Craft Carrier?
If a nation has purely defensive security strategy and no intention to go and attack a nation which is far off. Is there any reason why they need such a carrier?
Isn't it an unreasonable spend of $2.3 billion?
This question struck me recently when an unhappy Indian questioned the purpose in a forum.