INS Vikramaditya
"Vikramaditya" translates to "Brave in Valor" in Sanskrit and honors Emperor Vikramaditya, a legendary ruler known for his military prowess and cultural advancements. The name king Vikramaditya (Sanskrit: विक्रमादित्य) is a Sanskrit tatpurusha, from विक्रम (vikrama) meaning "valour" and आदित्य Āditya, son of Aditi.
Performance and Specifications:
Speed and Range:
- Maximum speed: 30 knots (56 km/h)
- Cruising speed: 18 knots (33 km/h)
- Range: 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km)
Airwing Size and Composition:
- Maximum capacity: 32 aircraft (varies depending on specific mix)
- Typical composition:
- MiG-29K/KUB Fulcrum multirole fighters (16-18)
- Kamov Ka-31 Helix AEW helicopters (4)
- Sea King Mk.42C/D helicopters (4-6)
- HAL Dhruv utility helicopters (2-4)
Cost
The exact cost of acquiring, modifying, and equipping the INS Vikramaditya is a complex issue with varying estimates and conflicting reports. Here's what we know:
Original Purchase:
- India bought the decommissioned Soviet aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov from Russia in 2004 for $2.3 billion.
Refurbishment and Modernization:
- Extensive refit and modernization work took place at the Sevmash shipyard in Russia between 2004 and 2013.
- Initial estimates for the refit were around $2.9 billion, but the final cost likely exceeded that figure due to delays and additional modifications.
Additional Expenses:
- Costs beyond direct purchase and refit include crew training, infrastructure upgrades, ammunition, aircraft acquisition, and ongoing maintenance.
- Estimating these additional expenses is challenging due to their varied nature and potential fluctuations over time.
Overall Cost Estimates:
- Various sources offer estimates for the total cost, ranging from $6.2 billion to $8 billion.
- It's important to consider the limitations of these estimates, as they might not capture all potential expenditures or consider fluctuations in exchange rates over the project's timeline.
Challenges in Determining Exact Cost:
- Limited transparency and potential confidentiality clauses in agreements with Russia can obscure precise figures.
- Fluctuations in exchange rates and variable definitions of "cost" (acquisition, refit, ongoing expenses) further complicate calculations.
Conclusion:
While determining the exact cost of the INS Vikramaditya is challenging, estimates suggest it falls within the $6.2 billion to $8 billion range.Comparing INS Vikramaditya and HMS Queen Elizabeth:
Cost
wise, it appears the Indians and British Carriers are very close in
total, but the UK got two carriers for the price of India's one. While slightly
faster, the Indian carrier has 22% shorter range and 20% smaller
displacement and air wing. The steel in the hull and propulsion of the
Indian carrier is 50 years older. At this age in the US fleet, it would
be time to consider making razor blades. The British Carriers would seem
to have some shakedown problems such as a failure in the screw.
Cost:
- INS Vikramaditya: Estimates suggest a total cost ranging from $6.2 billion to $8 billion, including acquisition, refit, and potentially some operational expenses.
- HMS Queen Elizabeth: Construction cost around £3 billion (roughly $3.8 billion at 2024 exchange rates) for the first ship; total program cost estimated at £6.2 billion (around $7.8 billion) for both carriers.
Performance:
| Metric | INS Vikramaditya | HMS Queen Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 44,500 tons | 65,000 tons |
| Maximum speed | 30 knots | 28 knots |
| Range | 7,000 nautical miles | 9,000 nautical miles |
| Airwing capacity | 32 aircraft | 40 aircraft |
INS Vikramaditya: India Bought This Aircraft Carrier from Russia (Mistake?) | The National Interest
INS Vikramaditya, Explained - Russia and India have maintained military ties for more than five decades. The exchange of weapons and cooperation between the two countries will only increase, following recent talks between the Russian Foreign Minister and his Indian counterpart in December.
New Delhi and Moscow penned a bilateral investment treaty and a free trade agreement, solidifying the good relations between the two nations. Russia has relied heavily on India in light of the heavy international sanctions imposed following its invasion of Ukraine back in February 2022.
In fact, Indian-Russia trade topped $50 billion in 2023. Additionally, 60% of New Delhi’s military hardware used today is derived from Soviet/Russian-origins.
Perhaps the most recognizable Soviet weapon in service with the Indian Navy is the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
The history of the INS Vikramaditya:
As the arms race was heating up during the Cold War, Soviet engineers prioritized the development of cutting-edge aircraft carriers to counter America’s fleet.
The INS Vikramaditya, originally constructed as Baku, served with the Soviet Navy following its commissioning in the late 1980s.
Following the dissolution of the USSR, Russia’s post-Cold War budget could not maintain the large vessel.
At the same time, New Delhi’s sole INS Viraat carrier was set to retire by 2007. Since India’s options were limited, it proposed purchasing the renamed Admiral Gorshkov from Russia.
In 2004, a deal was made. India would receive the aircraft carrier for free but must pay Russia $974 million for upgrades.
According to Eurasian Times, Moscow agreed to enhance the ship from a helicopter carrier to a full aircraft carrier capable of supporting two dozen MiG-29K fighters and a maximum of 10 Kamov helicopters.
Additionally, the upgraded carrier would incorporate modern radars, arrester wires for catching landing airframes and new boilers for propulsion.
The INS Vikramaditya’s marred history:
Ultimately, delays in the overhaul were compounded by increased costs, leading New Delhi to shell out $1.2 billion extra for the project.
The INS Vikramaditya was supposed to be delivered in 2008.
However, Russia’s Sevmash shipyard kept delaying the timeline, suggesting India pay more and more due to inflated “market prices.” The carrier finally began sea trials in 2012 and was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2013, five years later.
The INS Vikramaditya has been plagued with issues since its overhaul process. In 2012, seven of its eight steam boilers failed during high-speed trials due to faulty thermal insulation. Engine problems have also impacted the carrier. The ship’s maximum speed was discovered to be greatly reduced.
Upon review, it was found that low-grade Chinese-designed fire bricks instead of asbestos in the boiler insulation was to blame. Other mishaps and incidents have troubled the carrier, including a toxic gas leak that killed two workers back in 2016 and a fire that erupted in the boiler room of the ship a few years later.
Despite the INS Vikramaditya’s troubled history, the aircraft carrier remains in service with the Indian Navy.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
INS Vikramaditya Aircraft Carrier
INS Vikramaditya can sail at speeds of more than 30k. Credit: Indian Navy.
INS Vikramaditya is the Indian Navy's biggest warship. Credit: Indian Navy.
The warship has an overall length of 284m. Credit: Indian Navy.
INS Vikramaditya is equipped with expansive flight deck. Credit: Indian Navy.
INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier completed sea trials in July 2013. Credit: Indian Navy.
INS Vikramaditya can sail at speeds of more than 30k. Credit: Indian Navy.
INS Vikramaditya is the Indian Navy's biggest warship. Credit: Indian Navy.
INS Vikramaditya is the Indian Navy’s largest short take-off but assisted recovery (STOBAR) aircraft carrier and warship converted from the Russian Navy’s decommissioned Admiral Gorshkov vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) missile cruiser carrier. INS Vikramaditya was commissioned into service in November 2013.
The warship was extensively refurbished with new propulsion systems, hull sections, sensors, and flight deck. It was operationally deployed with a full complement of MiG-29 aircraft in May 2014.
The vessel can carry more than 30 long-range multi-role fighters with anti-ship missiles, air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and rockets. The aircraft on board the carrier include MiG 29K / Sea Harrier combat aircraft, Kamov 31 radar picket Airborne Early Warning (AEW) helicopter, Kamov 28 naval helicopter, Sea King helicopter, ALH-Dhruv, and Chetak helicopter.
The naval variant of the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft made its first landing on the INS Vikramaditya in January 2020.
INS Vikramaditya project background and details
The Admiral Gorshkov (Project 11430) is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier built at the Nikolayev South shipyard for the Russian Navy. Initially known as Baku, the carrier was launched in 1982 and commissioned in 1987. The Admiral Gorshkov was inactivated in 1995.
India entered negotiations with Russia for the acquisition of Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier in 1994 and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in December 1998. The Union Government of India and the Federation of Russia signed an inter-governmental agreement for the acquisition in October 2000.
"The warship was extensively refurbished with new propulsion systems, hull sections, sensors, and flight deck."
In January 2004, India signed a $1.5bn deal with Russia for the modernisation of Admiral Gorshkov and delivery of 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB aircraft. The refurbishment works were commenced at the FSUE Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia, in April 2004. The cost for repair and refit of the carrier, spares, infrastructure augmentation, and documentation was estimated to be $974m. The modernised warship was initially scheduled to be delivered by August 2008 but was delayed due to cost overruns.
The two countries reached an agreement on the final delivery and entire cost of the upgraded warship in December 2009. The deal was finalised in March 2010, the cost was fixed at $2.33bn and delivery was scheduled for December 2012.
The overhaul was completed by March 2012 and the first sea trials began in June 2012. However, the delivery was delayed again due to defects encountered in boilers and the need for replacement of additional electrical cables.
The modernised carrier completed final sea trials in the White Sea in July 2013 and aviation trials in November 2013. The INS Vikramaditya test-fired close-in weapon system (CIWS) and Barak 8 long-range air-defence system (LR-SAM) in March 2017.
INS Vikramaditya design and features
The refurbished aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya is equipped with 234 new hull sections constructed using 2,500t of steel. It has an overall length of 284m, a maximum beam of 60m, the height of approximately 60m and a displacement of 44,500t.
The warship has 22 decks and 2,500 compartments, of which 1,750 were completely re-built. It can carry more than 1,600 personnel, including crew. Sponsons are installed to increase the breadth at the flight deck.
The modernised ship is also equipped with flight deck lighting systems, new AC plants, refrigeration plants, 14° sky jump, 30m wide arrester gears, three restraining gears, and two reverse osmosis plants for producing 400t of freshwater per day.
The modifications also included replacement of 2,300km of old electrical cables with new cables, upgrades to bulbous bow, and replacement of distilling plants. The aft aircraft lift and ammunition lifts were also upgraded.
Weaponry
The aircraft carrier can be armed with a wide range of weapons, including anti-ship missiles, beyond visual range air-to-air missiles, guided bombs, and rockets.
Sensors on board the Indian aircraft carrier
The re-equipped superstructure of the Vikramaditya houses state-of-the-art launch and recovery systems, long-range air surveillance radars, and advanced electronic warfare suite.
An extensive upgrade of sensors, including the addition of long-range air surveillance radars and advanced electronic warfare suite, enables the ship to create a surveillance bubble around the ship of more than 500km.
The aircraft carrier is equipped with LUNA and DAPS landing systems for MiG and Sea Harriers jet fighters respectively. A computer-aided action information organisation (CAIO) system named LESORUB-E is fitted to provide combat control and direction. The system collects information from sensors and data links and performs computer-aided processing.
The ship is also fitted with an automated Resistor-E radar complex and various subsystems to provide air traffic control and approach / landing for carrier-based aircraft. The radar system provides short-range navigation and flight data for the aircraft. The precision approach guidance system of the Resistor-E complex provides flying craft guidance during a precision approach.
The latest CCS MK II communication complex on board the Vikramaditya provides external communication. A Link II tactical data system is also installed to support network-centric operations.
Propulsion and performance
The INS Vikramaditya is powered by eight new generation boilers, which produce a total power of 180,000shp, driving four huge propellers. Each boiler generates 100tph of steam at a very high pressure of 64bar. The ship also employs six turbo-alternators and six diesel alternators, which produce a total power of 18MW.
The warship can carry more than 8,000t of low sulphur high-speed diesel. It has a maximum speed of more than 30k and can achieve a maximum range of 7,000nmi. It can endure up to 45 days at sea.
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