Mumbai, Dec 01: The negotiations for acquiring the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov has been completed and the deal is expected to be stuck soon, Vice-Admiral Madanjit Singh, C-in-C, Western Naval Command said here today. Singh told reporters that "the price negotiation for the aircraft career alongwith the technical demands has been completed”.
The decision on purchasing the advanced MiG-29 aircraft with Admiral Gorshkov has also been approved, he said adding that the aircraft are being upgraded close to Sukhoi.
Singh said the warship, a replacement for the INS Vikrant, would be inducted into the Indian Navy in three and a half years from the day of signing the deal.
The delay in acquiring the aircraft career was due to the price negotiation and the agreement on the demand of technical commonality in facility in the ship as in other Indian warships, he added.
Singh also said Admiral Gorshkov was used by the Russian Navy only for seven months and was being gifted to India by charging only for maintenance. Bureau Report