Chinese Varyag Aircraft Carrier Due to Sail Soon

After nearly nine years of refurbishing work, the ex-Russian aircraft carrier Shilang will soon be carrying out her sea trials for the Chinese Navy. Originally built in a Ukrainian shipyard as a member of the Project 1143.5 class named Varyag, the carrier was purchased as a derelict hulk in 1998 for about $20 million. The carrier is now named in honor of the Qing Dynasty admiral who conquered what is now known as Taiwan in 1681. There probably is a message in that.

Navy personnel begin training on Admiral Gorshkov

NEW DELHI (PTI): With the Navy set to induct aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov by next year, the first batch of Navy personnel have begun training on the refurbished vessel in St. Petersburg, Russia.

"The first group of 152 sailors and officers have started their training on-board INS Vikramaditya in Russia.

The training comprises four months of theory and almost a similar period of practical exercises on the ship," naval spokesperson told PTI here Thursday.

INS Vikramaditya started mooring trials

Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya which is retrofitted for Indian Navy started mooring trials on March 1. Sevmash shipyard's director general Nikolai Kalistratov signed an order to begin the trials. 

This is an essential milestone in the carrier's modernization particularly marked in the general schedule. Outfitting works have reached the final stage. The ship has been gradually filled with equipment, mechanisms, pipelines, cables; and now all those systems must be tested in different modes. 

The trials will be conducted in accordance with special programs and techniques. Tests of main propulsion plant are considered the most complicated and important. The second large-scale goal is testing of radioelectronics, including Indian-made systems, and air-technical facilities. The main purpose of mooring trials is preparation of shipborne systems for further important stage – shipyard's sea trials. The aircraft carrier is planned to take the sea late in 2011.

Aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov will be transferred to India late in 2012 – official

All issues regarding delivery of Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov and nuclear-powered attack submarine Nerpa to India have been already settled, they will be handed over to the orderer within the period stipulated, said Mikhail Dmitriev, director of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC). 

"We have arranged all issues. I think we'll manage to keep within time and cost limits. And, finally, we'll realize all plans", said he in the interview to Kommersant published on Thursday. 

Severodvinsk shipbuilders prepare INS Vikramaditya for mooring trials

Defense shipyard Sevmash (Severodvinsk) launched preparations for mooring trials of INSVikramaditya (former Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov), reported Friday ITAR-TASS referring to the shipyard's press service. 

Mainly, what is to be done in the nearest time is assembly of auxiliary steam pipeline system and air conditioning system. "Completion of these works will mark the beginning of mooring trials", specified the shipyard's press service. Basically, all interior works are almost completed. 

According to the package intergovernmental agreement signed in New Delhi in Jan 2004, the hull of Russian aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov was handed over to India for free, providing that the ship would be retrofitted at Sevmash shipyard and equipped with Russian-made air wing.