The Indian Navy has finally taken delivery of a modified the Kiev class aircraft carrier, which it purchased from the Russians in 2002.  The ship was actually given to the Indian Navy with the stipulation that the estimated $800 million in modifications and repairs would be done in a Russian shipyard.  Now, 11 years later and after spending approximately $2.3 billion dollars, the Indian Navy has finally commissioned the carrier, INS Vikramaditya.

The Russians built a total of  four Kiev class aircraft carriers. One was scrapped. Two were turned into Chinese military theme parks exhibits and/or hotels.  It is still unclear whether the Chinese or the Indians got the better deal.

The long delayed yet newly refurbished aircraft carrier began its life 26 years ago as the Baku, but was renamed Admiral Gorshkov after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.   The ship suffered a boiler room explosion in 1994, briefly returned to service in 1995, was laid in up in 1996 and put up for sale.  A new forward flight deck with a 14.3° bow ski-jump ramp has been installed along with three arrestor wires on the stern of the angled deck. The carrier will be capable of carrying MiG-29K and Sea Harrier aircraft.

Thanks to Ulrich H. Rudofsky for contributing to this post.

See also: The Other Russian Aircraft Carrier – the Costly Conversion of the Admiral Gorshkov to INS Vikramaditya