Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov is expected to enter the Indian Navy by 2008 to meet India's naval aspirations.

The Admiral Gorshkov was an aircraft carrier of the Russian Navy. Originally named Baku, she was the fourth of the Type 1143 aircraft carrying cruisers, known as the Kiev class. The ship was laid down in 1978, launched in 1982, and commissioned in 1987. In terms of her armament, the Baku was built with a modified design relative to the other three Kiev class vessels; however, she carried an identical air wing, consisting of a squadron of twelve Yak-38 'Forger' V/STOL aircraft, twelve Ka-27 'Helix-A' ASW/SAR helicopters and two Ka-31 'Helix' AEW helicopters. URL Source : [ http://forum. ... URL Source : [ http://forum. ... The Indian Navy (भारतीय नौसेना in Hindi: Bharatiya Nau Sena) is the naval-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting sea-based warfare. ... An aircraft carrier is a warship whose main role is to deploy and recover aircraft—in effect acting as a sea-going airbase. ... Russian Navy Jack Russian Navy Ensign The Naval Cathedral in St Petersburg is the main church of the Russian Navy. ... Aircraft carrier Kiev, USSR, 1975-1996 The Russian designation for this type was Project 1143 Krechyet (Gerfalcon) The Soviet aircraft carrier Kiev served the Soviet and Russian navies from 1975 to 1996. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Yakovlev Yak-38 (NATO reporting name: Forger) was Soviet Naval Aviations first and only operational VTOL multi-role combat aircraft. ... V/STOL is an acronym for Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing. ... The Kamov Ka-27 is a military helicopter developed for the Soviet Navy and currently in service in Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, South Korea, China and India. ... The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors (propellers). ... An Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system is a radar system carried by an aircraft which is designed to detect other aircraft. ...

In the collapse of the Soviet Union, the city of Baku (which the ship was named after) became part of independent Azerbaijan, and afterwards the ship was renamed Admiral Gorshkov, in honour of Sergey Gorshkov commander in chief of the Soviet Navy during the cold war. In 1994, following a boiler room explosion, the ship was docked for a year of repairs. Although she returned to service in 1995, she was finally withdrawn in 1996 and offered for sale. In 2004, India bought her for US$1.5 billion; it is expected to enter service in 2008 and will replace the INS Viraat. Satellite view of Baku The Baku harbour on the south of Absheron peninsula The Maiden Tower in old town Baku Bakı (Azeri: Bakı, Russian: Баку), also known as Baku, is the capital of Azerbaijan. ... Sergey Georgyevich Gorshkov (b. ... For the generic term for a high-tension struggle between countries, see cold war (war). ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... INS Viraat during a Intl. ...

The Gorshkov was laid down in Dec 1978, launched in 1982, and comissioned in December 1987, and retired in 1996.

General characteristics (Russian service)

• Builder: Chernomorski yard, Nikolayev
• Power Plant: 4 shaft geared steam turbines, 140,000 hp
• Length: 273,1 m overall
• Beam: 31.0 m
• Draft: 8.2 m
• Displacement: 42,000 tons full load
• Speed: 32 knots
• Endurance: 13500 miles at 18 kt
• Armament: 4 x SN12 SSM (24 missiles), 2 x SAN3 SAM (72 missiles), 2 x SAN4 SAM, (40 missiles), 4 76mm guns (2x2), 8 x 30mm gatling guns, 10 x 533mm torpedo tubes, 1 x SUW ASW mortar
• Aircraft: 32
  • 12 Yak-38M - fighter aircraft
  • 20 helicopters

Mykolayiv (Ukrainian Миколаїв), also known by its Russian name Николаев (Nikolaev or Nikolayev) is a city in Southern Ukraine with the population of 514,000 (2001 estimation). ... The Yakovlev Yak-38 (NATO reporting name: Forger) was Soviet Naval Aviations first and only operational VTOL multi-role combat aircraft. ... A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for attacking other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs. ... The Bell 206 of Canadian Helicopters Robinson Helicopter Company (USA) R44, a four seat development of the R22 A helicopter is an aircraft which is lifted and propelled by one or more horizontal rotors (propellers). ...

Sold to India

Russia and India came to an agreement over the sale of the ship, which they had been haggling over for many years, in 2004, following which the ship will be extensively refitted in order to replace the existing Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat. India will spend approximately US$800 million to upgrade and refit the ship. Upgrade plans involve stripping all the weaponry from the ship's foredeck, allowing her to operate the MiG-29 'Fulcrum' and Sea Harrier aircraft. The deal also includes the purchase of 30 MIG 29 K aircraft, six Kamov KA-31 Helix attack and reconnaissance anti-submarine helicopters, torpedo tubes, missile systems, and artillery units, costing an additional US$700 million. The ship will be operated in a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Assisted Recovery) configuration, with a 14 degree ski-jump on the bow and three arrestor wires on the stern. It is estimated that the ship will enter service in the Indian Navy in 2008 as the INS Vikramaditya. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... INS Viraat during a Intl. ... The Mikoyan MiG-29 (МиГ-29 in Cyrillic script) (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) is originally a Soviet fighter aircraft used in the air superiority role. ... See also Hawker Siddeley Harrier The BAE Systems Harrier FA2 is the latest development of the Sea Harrier fighter/attack aircraft which entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980. ... The Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) is a Russian fighter aircraft used in the air superiority role. ... The Kamov Ka-27 is a military helicopter developed for the Soviet Navy and currently in service in Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, South Korea, China and India. ... An acronym for Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery. ... The Indian Navy (भारतीय नौसेना in Hindi: Bharatiya Nau Sena) is the naval-arm of the Military of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting sea-based warfare. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is a Leap year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This aircraft carrier is estimated that the former Admiral Gorshkov will enter service in the Indian Navy in 2008 as the INS Vikramaditya. ...