14. India’s INK Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier
Manufacturer: Nikolayev, Chernomorskiy Yard, JSC PO Sevmash, Black Sea Shipyard
Main Users: The Indian Navy
Cost: $2.35 billion* program/unit purchase price (FY2004)
In Sanskrit, Vikramaditya means “brave as the sun.” Originally built as the Baku, this aircraft carrier was a part of the Kiev class of the Soviet Navy. Nine years after Baku’s 1987 commissioning, it was decommissioned. For $2.35 billion, India purchased it from the Russians in 2004. Years passed during the negotiations until the agreement was reached.
INK Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier (India) Facebook.com/INSVikramadityaR33
Before Vikramaditya could be released in 2008, it had to undergo a redesign. It was necessary to replace 50% of the cabling and 99% of the construction. Additionally, new machinery was installed, including engines, diesel generators, and a deck large enough to support a MiG-29K aircraft.
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