INS Vikramaditya (R33)

History of INS Vikramaditya (R33)

INS Vikramaditya is a new Indian Navy aircraft carrier based on the now defunct Soviet-era Kyiv class. The former Russian Navy Kyiv-class heavy aircraft carrier "Admiral Gorshkov" was born from the Soviet Cold War heavy aircraft carrier "Baku" (CVHG-103), which was launched in 1978, launched in 1982, and launched in 1987.

After entering service with the Soviet Empire, the ship reappeared under the flag of the Russian Navy under a new name and barely existed between 1991 and 1995, before finally being decommissioned in 1996. The Russians then sought out and found a buyer in the Indian Navy who, after much deliberation, settled on a multi-billion dollar price tag to pay for the necessary modifications to meet the Indian Navy's needs (the deal included 12 Mikoyan MiG-29K Fulcrum Navy fighter jets and 6 Kamov Ka-31 Helix naval helicopters). Since then, an extensive refurbishment program has been ongoing and has resulted in a completely redesigned bow section that once housed most of the defensive and offensive weapons available to Kyiv-class aircraft carriers.

A ski ramp-like platform was installed in its place to complement the sloping flight deck (the latter was intended to be used to recover incoming aircraft). Additionally, the original boiler-powered propulsion system has now given way to a more modern diesel-powered turbine arrangement.

Overall, about three-quarters of the ships will be designated "new" at the end of the program, providing the Indian Navy with a capable but tactically limited aircraft carrier.

The INS Vikramaditya is expected to enter service in late 2012 (now Q4 2013) following a handover ceremony in December, joining the growing fleet of Asia Pacific airlines currently in service or under development. Major repairs continue in Russia and the ship is expected to replace the Centaur-class INS Viraat due to be retired in 2020 (the original target year was delayed from 2008). Notably, the Indian Navy is also currently building the first of its two domestic aircraft carriers, the 44,000-ton INS Vikrant and the refitted 65,000-ton INS Vishal.

While these developments are still a long way off, INS Vikramaditya itself underwent sea trials in June 2012.

INS Vikramaditya will primarily deploy an air wing of Mikoyan MiG29K Fulcrum fighter jets, along with the remaining BAe Sea Harrier VTOL jets and the aforementioned helicopters. Self-defense will take the form of standard surface-to-air missile systems, modern radar and sensor systems, and close-in weapons systems (CIWS).

Program Updates:

October 2012 - The Russians announced that problems with the rebuilt Gorshkov boiler would delay the handover of the ship from Russia to India until the fourth quarter of 2013 - a year later than the originally announced handover ceremony .

November 2013 - INS Vikramaditya officially entered service with the Indian Navy on 16 November 2013. Her home port is INS Kadamba, Karwar, and her battle cry is "Strike Far, Strike Sure".

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