INS Vikramaditya will arrive by 2013 end

The delivery of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov -- rechristened as INS Vikramaditya -- would take place in the last quarter of 2013, Defence Minister A K Antony told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

On whether government proposes to levy penalties on the Russian side for failing to stick to the delivery schedule, he said, "Liquidated damages clause for delays in delivery is incorporated in the contract. As per contract, LD is to be ascertained and levied within six months of ship's delivery."

India and Russia had signed a $947 million deal for 45,000-tonne Gorshkov in 2004. The deal amount was revised later to $2.3 billion. The Kiev-class ship was scheduled to have reached Indian shores in 2008, but its delivery has been delayed since then.

"As informed by the Russian side, the delivery of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Gorshkov), after completion of repairs and sea trials, would be made in the last quarter of 2013," Antony said in response to a query.

The Russian side has been requested to take up necessary measures to ensure delivery of ship in the last quarter of 2013, the Defence Minister told the House.

The aircraft carrier was subjected to extensive trials for the first time for 108 days from June 8, 2012 to September 23, this year, with a part of the Indian crew on board as part of its training during, he said.

"While a substantial scope of ship's equipment and aviation trials were completed during this period, the main propulsion plant trials to full power could not be completed due to defects encountered on boiler section. Rectification of the defect is likely to take six months," Antony said.