INS Vikramaditya inducted into Navy

INS Vikramaditya inducted into Navy

DEFENCE MILESTONE: Defence Minister AK Antony on board INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov) during its induction into the Indian Navy at the Sevmash Shipyard in Russia on Saturday. PTI

Severodvinsk (Russia), November 16
The much-awaited $2.3 billion aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, was today inducted into the Indian Navy in a strategic boost to India's maritime warfare capabilities.

The 44,500-tonne warship was commissioned into the Navy at the Sevmash Shipyard in this northern Arctic port at a handing over ceremony attended by Defence Minister AK Antony, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and senior government and naval officials of the two countries.

The Russian flag on the vessel was lowered and the flag of the Indian Navy was raised in its place. In a traditional Indian ritual, a coconut was broken against the ship's side. The commissioning papers were signed by deputy director of Russia’s arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Igor Sevastyanov and ship’s captain Suraj Berry, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported. The carrier will be escorted to India on a near two-month voyage. — PTI

Will take 2 months to reach India

• The 44,500-tonne INS Vikramaditya was commissioned in the presence of Defence Minister AK Antony and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin
• The warship was first scheduled to be delivered in 2008, but the deadline was repeatedly postponed
• The carrier will now be escorted on a two-month voyage by a group of warships to its base at Karwar in India.