NS Vikramaditya, the Indian Navy’s (IN) aircraft carrier, will take part in the Russian Navy Day parade to be held in the Arctic port city of Severomorsk this Sunday. The aircraft carrier is currently undergoing marine tests with the Russian Navy’s Northern Fleet, ahead of its induction in to the IN. Located in the Barents Sea coast, Severomorsk is the main naval base of the Russian Navy’s Red Banner Northern Fleet, responsible for the maritime security of the North-western portion of the Eurasian nation.
Currently the INS Vikramaditya is undertaking several drills in the Barents Sea, operated by seamen from the Russian Navy. Local media reported that in addition to the naval servicemen, staff and officials from the Russian shipbuilder JSC PO Sevmash, as well as Indian Navy officials are also onboard the ship.
The upgrading of the aircraft carrier was done at the Sevmash shipyard, which is the largest of its type in Russia. The shipyard, which employs close to 27,000 staff, is also Russia’s only manufacturer of nuclear submarines.
Local sources reported that a total of 12 vessels are likely to take part in this year’s parade in Severomorsk, including the Indian aircraft carrier. A total of 3,000 naval servicemen will also participate in the ceremony. Commemoration functions will be held at the Primorskaya Square and at the Severomorsk harbour, expected to be attended by senior officials from the military and the civilian administration.
The INS Vikramaditya, formerly Soviet Aircraft Carrier Admiral Gorshkov was purchased by the Indian Navy at a cost of $2.35 billion a few years ago. The refurbishment works which had been ongoing at the Sevmash shipyard were completed earlier this year, and currently the ship is undergoing marine trials. The Russian Navy recently announced that the aircraft carrier will be inducted by the IN probably by the end of this year.
Asian Defence News
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