Antony apprehends delay in Gorshkov delivery due to unforeseen problems

The Defence Ministry, which has been maintaining that there has been no official communication regarding the delay in Russian aircraft carrier Gorshkov from Moscow, today said that there are apprehensions that some delay may take place due to unforeseen problems.

New Delhi, Aug 20 : The Defence Ministry, which has been maintaining that there has been no official communication regarding the delay in Russian aircraft carrier Gorshkov from Moscow, today said that there are apprehensions that some delay may take place due to 'unforeseen problems'.

Defence Minister A K Antony, in a written reply in Lok Sabha, said, "Construction or repair and re-equipping of an aircraft carrier is a complex exercise," adding, "At times problems arise due to various reasons which are resolved through interactions between the agencies concerned."

He also said that for supervising the project's progress, an apex level committee under Defence Secretary and a Steering committee under a Vice Admiral have been set up.

"A team has also been stationed at the shipyard where the repair and re-equipping work is going on. From time to time, teams comprising senior officers are also sent to monitor progress of the project," he added.

He said that at present, the Russian authorities are "seized of the issue of timely delivery of the ship".

On August 1, Russian media reported that the schedule for the delivery of Gorshkov aircraft carrier has been further delayed to 2011 after the Director of the Sevmash shipyard, where the aircraft carrier is undergoing repair work, General Vladimir Pastukhov had been dismissed for failing to meet the deadlines.

The delay was attributed to lack of money allocated for the renovation and 'awful' state of ship's technological condition.

The reports of delay in the delivery of Gorshkov, re-christened as INS Vikramaditya, is a matter of concern for the Defence Ministry as the Indian Navy was ready to induct the second aircraft carrier, the first being INS Viraat, in its fleet in 2008.

The Defence Ministry has repeatedly stated that the delivery of the aircraft carrier will be in accordance to the agreement that was inked in 2004 by the then NDA government.

In the last Budget Session of the Parliament Antony had said that the Russian side has assured at the highest level that the ship will be delivered as per the contract.

India and Russia inked the 1.5 billion-dollar-deal, as per which India will get the refitted 45,000 tonnes aircraft carrier, along with twelve single-seat MiG-29K and four dual-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft.

Russia has also agreed to provide facilities and procedures for training of pilots and technical staff, delivery of simulators, spare parts, and establishing maintenance facilities in India.

ANI