India Acquires Russian Admiral Gorshkov Aircraft Carrier

Released on Tuesday, January 20, 2004

On the 20th of January, 2004, a set of contracts (approximately 12) on Russian Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier sale to India was signed up at New Delhi by Defense Ministers of both countries.

The deal between Russia and India involves overhaul and refitting of the carrier, new state-of-the-art weapon systems, MiG-29K ship borne fighters, Ka-27 and Ka-31 helicopters, and setting-up of littoral facilities to support Admiral Gorshkov operations.

The Admiral Gorshkov carrier sale to India represents the largest deal between the two countries in the modern history, strengthening strategic ties and partnership between New Delhi and Moscow.

The Admiral Gorshkov sale total cost has not been released, but it should be far more than $1 billion.

In addition, the first T-90S main battle tanks assembled locally at Avadi Armor Manufacturing plant in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, was rolled out. The T-90S parts are being supplied by Russian enterprises under a 300 T-90S tanks procurement program. The first 130 T-90S tanks were assembled by Russian enterprises and the 170 remaining tanks are due to be assembled locally in India.

Also disclosed, India and Russia are negotiating a new contract to modernize Soviet-made T-72 main battle tanks currently in service with the Indian Armed Forces.