INDIAN NAVY BUYS THE ADMIRAL GORSHKOV

摘要

After eight years of discussions, India and Russia finally signed a contract on January 20, 2004, for acquisition by the Indian Navy of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Garshkov. The deal comprises almost 20 separate contracts for weapons and technology and was signed during a visit to India by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, who had arrived in New Delhi the previous day. Contract signature followed approval of the deal by India's Cabinet Committee on Security on January 17. It had previously been agreed (on December 21, 1998) that Russia would donate the mothballed carrier free of charge, with India only paying for the refurbishment and upgrade work, which will cost around $650 million.