INS Vikramaditya to undergo sea trials in North Sea from June

PANAJI: The sea-trials of INS Vikramaditya would be held from the next month in the North Sea before its final hand-over in December, Russian Ambassador to India Alexander M Kadakin said here today.

INS Vikramaditya, which was undergoing repairs at Russia's Servmash shipyard, would be having sea trials in the North Sea soon, he told reporters here.

Originally named Admiral Gorshkov, the aircraft carrier was purchased by India from Russia in 2004.

It would be delivered in December as per the schedule, Kadakin said.

On the delay in the delivery of the warship, Kadakin said, "If you want a healthy baby, don't try to organise birth. The baby is ready now and would be exercising in North Sea from next month onwards."

He said Russia would ensure that the ship undergoes sophisticated exercises.

He also remarked that it was strange that much had been written about delay in handing over Vikramaditya but no one was questioning the delay in delivery of Scorpene submarines (Indo-French technology transfer initiative) which has been delayed by five years.