INS Vikramaditya to start sea trials in the falls

Indian carrier INS Vikramaditya (former Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov) which is being modernized at defense shipyardSevmash will conduct her first sortie in the falls of 2011, reported ITAR-TASS referring to Anastasia Nikitinskaya, the head of Sevmash's press service, having specified that "approximately, in October or November". 

The carrier undergoes mooring trials since March 1. According to Sevmash's press service, test of main propulsion plant will be the most complicated and critical. Another high-end task is testing of radioelectronic systems including those made in India, and air-technical facilities. End objective of mooring trials is preparation of shipborne systems for coming sea trials. 

According to Russian-Indian intergovernmental package agreement signed in Jan 2004 in New Delhi, hull of Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov was handed over to India for free providing that the ship would be modernized by Sevmash and equipped with Russian-made air wing. Also, Russia will train about 1 500 Indian crewmembers and construct basing infrastructure in the Indian Ocean. As reported by Indian sources, Russian aircraft carrier would cost them $2.33 bln. 

The carrier must be delivered to Indian Navy in the end of 2012. Reportedly, her service life would be 30 years. 

Admiral Gorshkov (formerly named Baku) was commissioned into Northern Fleet in 1987. The ship's length was 283 meters; beam – 51 meters; displacement – 45,000 tons. The carrier's after-upgrade specifications have not been disclosed so far.

Russia will lease SSN Nerpa to India no later than in Oct 2011

Russia will lease nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Nerpa to India no later than in Oct 2011, reported RIA Novosti referring to a high-ranking source in Russian Navy Main HQ. 

Some media agencies previously reported that SSNNerpa had been allegedly leased to India for a 10-year term. 

"Nerpa is fully ready for leasing. Currently, Indian crew is trained in the sub along with Russian instructors. The training must be completed by October, as we're behind the schedule", said the interviewee. 

He specified that Indian submariners must complete the full training program including cruise missile firings. 

"What we must do now is to "coach" the Indian crew in full", said the admiral. 

Then the sub will head for India, he concluded. 

It was planned to hand over SSN Nerpa to Indian Navy as early as 2009, but a fire occurred in the sub on Nov 8, 2008 during the shipyard's sea trials in the Sea of Japan. As a result of unauthorized operation of firefighting system, freon gas entered the sub's compartments. Twenty men died, other 21 were intoxicated. Totally, there were 208 men on board the submarine while the accident happened. 

SSN Nerpa was commissioned into Russian Navy after repair in Dec 2009. 

According to RIA Novosti, the $920 mln contract provides the lease term of 10 years. 

SSN Nerpa (K-152, Project 971 Schuka-B) is a third-generation submarine laid down at Amur Shipyard(Komsomolsk-on-Amur) in 1991. However, financing of the sub's construction was shut down in mid-90's. Completion of the submarine became possible only under India's investment. 

The sub's displacement is 8,140/12,770 tons; max speed is 30 knots; test depth is 600 meters; endurance is 100 days; crew is 73; armament includes four 533-mm torpedo tubes and four 650-mm torpedo tubes.

BRAHMOS Block-III to be inducted in 12th plan: A K Antony

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Block-III version of the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile is likely to be inducted (in the Indian Defence forces) in the 12th plan, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

He added that, the Block-I and II versions of the BRAHMOS missile are already in service with the Indian Army.

The Minister also informed Parliament that, the supersonic cruise missile has been tested successfully for application in Indian Navy and Army.

"On 2nd December 2010, Block-III version of the missile was test fired to establish the steep dive capability of the missile with large manoeuvres. The mission was accomplished successfully, establishing a unique capability of supersonic dive in mountain operations," A K Antony said, according to a PIB news report.

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