MOSCOW, December 4 (RIA Novosti) - Russia...
Sevmash officials later claimed that the ongoing maintenance and upgrade made up 60-70% of the carrier's cost, or at least $2 bln.The current contract covers a complete overhaul of the ship and equipping it with modern weaponry, including MiG-29K Fulcrum aircraft and Ka-27 Helix-A and Ka-31 Helix-B anti-submarine helicopters.
Sevmash has said if New Delhi provides sufficient funding to complete work then the construction of the ship will be completed in 2010 and tests will start in 2011, while in 2012 it will be handed over to the Indian Navy.
The carrier, renamed the Vikramaditya, is to replace India's INS Viraat carrier, which, although currently operational, is now 50 years old.
After modernization, the carrier is expected to be seaworthy for 30 years.
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