ST. PETERSBURG — A Russian-built aircraft carrier refitted for the Indian navy has set sail for final sea trials prior to handover, a senior Russian defense industry official said Wednesday, five years after it was originally due to be delivered and more than twice over budget.
The Vikramaditya, formerly the Admiral Gorshkov, which has been refitted at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia, is due to he handed over in Fall 2013. A mixed Russian-Indian crew is on board the warship while the Indian sailors learn how to operate the vessel.
"The warship departed for sea trials early Wednesday in line with the schedule," said Igor Sevastyanov, deputy head of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport.
