Defence Minister AK Antony will induct aircraft carrier Gorshkov renamed INS Vikramaditya into the Indian Navy during his three-day visit to Russia starting November 15. The carrier is undergoing last minute checks and trials there before the Indian Navy takes over the ship for formal induction.
The 45,000 tonne costing over $3 billion will then set sail for India in December and is likely to reach its base in Karwar in Karnataka in January next year.
The ship was earlier scheduled to be inducted into the Indian Navy last year in November but some defects in its engines and boilers led to a year-long delay.
The two countries had signed the deal for the aircraft carrier in 2004 and its induction will see the Navy having two operational carriers, including INS Viraat. India is also manufacturing its first indigenous aircraft carrier in Cochin which is likely to be operational by 2018.
Meanwhile, during his visit to Russia, Antony will take stock of defence ties with his counterpart under the aegis of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission for Military and Technical Cooperation.
This meeting between the two Ministers is held every alternate year in India and Russia where future cooperation in Defence matters between the two sides is decided.
During the forthcoming visit, the two sides are expected to discuss a number of deals including the issues relating to the ongoing Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), being developed by Russia jointly with Hindustan Aeronautics limited (HAl).