INS Vikramaditya

Light aircraft carrier




The INS Vikramaditya light aircraft carrier will operate the MiG-29K naval aircraft

Entered service expected in 2012
Crew 1 600 men
Sea endurance 24 500 km at 18 knots
Dimensions and displacement
Length 273 m
Beam 31 m
Draught 8.2 m
Flight deck length ?
Flight deck width ?
Hangar deck length ?
Displacement, standard ?
Displacement, full load 45 000 tons
Propulsion and speed
Speed 32 knots
Boilers 8
Steam turbines 4
Aircraft
Fixed wing 12 - 16 x MiG-29K/KUB
Helicopters 4 - 16 x Ka-28/31
Armament
Artillery ?
Missiles ?





The INS Vikramaditya (Brave as the Sun) is a modified former Kiev class aviation cruiser. Vessel was originally known as Baku and later renamed to Admiral Gorshkov. This ship was commissioned to service with the Soviet Navy in 1987. However after collapse of the Soviet Union it was inactive since 1991 was and decommissioned in 1996.

In 2004 an agreement was signed with Russia for the sale of this ship to India. Agreement included refit in Russian shipyard, purchase of aircraft and weapon systems, pilots training, delivery of simulators and spare parts.

The Vikramaditya is expected to be commissioned and transferred to the Indian Navy by 2014. It will replace the ageing Viraat aircraft carrier.

The ship was extensively refitted at Sevmash shipyard in Russia. The hull was completed and Vikramaditya was launched in 2008. It received a redesigned Kuznetsov-style flight deck, with a ski-jump, built in a newly raised bow.

Agreement with Russia included the purchase entire wing of 12 MiG-29K carrier-based fighters and 4 twin-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft, with an option for more aircrafts, as well as 6 Ka-31 Helixairborne early warning helicopters. The INS Vikramaditya will also operate Sea Harrier aircraft andHAL Dhruv helicopters. Ship has got a hangar and two elevators. This vessel can normally carry 12 to 16 fighters and 4 to 16 helicopters.

The INS Vikramaditya lost some heavy weapons of the Admiral Gorshkov, carried at the bow. Hence it lost guided-missile cruiser's capabilities of the Kiev class. It is unknown, what armament this ship will carry, however it might be a mix of Western, Russian and indigenous weapon systems. It was reported that Vikramaditya is armed only with air defense weapons.

Propulsion consists of eight boilers and four shaft geared steam turbines. Vessel has a range of 24 500 km at cruising speed.



Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
INS Vikramaditya (ex-Admiral Gorshkov) 1978 1982 1987

Vikramaditya was launched in 2008 after refit. Expected to be commissioned by 2014