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India to buy Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov

An Indian delegation will soon visit Moscow to finalise a defence deal on the purchase of Russia's one-time most powerful aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

The 40,000-tonne aircraft carrier was once considered the pride of Russian navy, though it became redundant with changing technology.

However, if the deal gets finalised, Moscow will begin re-equipping the outdated model so as to suit the Indian requirements.

Russia had previously quoted a price of two billion dollars for the carrier. Later, it decided to ask for the money needed for carrying out the alterations.

New Delhi will also buy Su-37 and MiG-29 fighter planes for the ''old war horse'' after signing the purchase agreement for Admiral Gorshkov.

The aircraft carrier was in the centre of a controversy as former chief of naval staff Vishnu Bhagwat was opposed to the idea of buying foreign-made battleships.

UNI

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