Naval Air: June 29, 2003

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India and Russia have come to terms on the purchase of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. The 45,000 ton carrier is damaged from a fire, and it is thought that three years will be required to get the carrier in shape for operations. The price has not been announced yet. Still under negotiation are terms for the purchase of 24 MiG-29Ks (modified for carrier use) and six Kamov helicopters (for anti-submarine and early-warning duty.) India has several decades of experience with carrier aviation, but India's sole aircraft carrier, the INS Viraat is old and not likely to last past the end of the decade.