'Russian aircraft carrier could cost India USD 2 bn more' New Delhi, Aug 1 : India could end up paying a staggering USD 2 billion more for a Russian aircraft it has bought from Russia for USD 1.5 billion, a defence ministry source said Friday.
http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-5162.html <"The cost of the sea trials have shot up considerably because of the sharp rise in fuel prices. This apart, much more cabling needs to be done than was originally estimated," the source pointed out. "This apart, considerable work needs to be done on strengthening the deck since it will be **operating heavier aircraft than it was intended to deploy when it was originally built**," the source added....The Vikramaditya, originally named Admiral Gorshkov, has been mired in controversy ever since the $1.5 billion deal for the ship was signed in 2004. Of this, a little over $900 million was to spent on refurbishing the ship and the balance on the MiG-29K Fulcrum fighters and the Kamov Ka-27 Helix-A and Ka-31 Helix-B reconnaissance and anti-submarine helicopters that would be deployed on board....Ironically, the first of the MiG-29s will begin arriving later this year and **will be operated by the Indian Navy on land** from its air station at Dabolim in Goa.> So the MiG29K's will be holding the fort at Dabolim till the carrier shows up on the Indian horizon in a few years! Smart thinking, right? The navy's priorities are very clear. GOG is no match at all in the brains department -- at least not yet.
