Gorshkov's cost includes $ 29 mln to Indian specialists: Navy

New Delhi, Sept 15 (PTI) Admiral Gorshkov aircraft
carrier bought from Russia finally cost India USD 2.33
billion, out of which USD 29 million was paid toward services
rendered by Indian specialists and another USD 85 million for
repair technical documentation.
India had early this year agreed to pay USD 2.33 billion,
over three times the USD 974 million it had signed a contract
for the 45,000-tonne warship in 2004, after a three-year
negotiation.
"The USD 29 million was paid for stationing 40-odd Indian
Navy personnel in Russia for over five years since 2004 to
assist, monitor and work on the repair and re-equipping of
Gorshkov," a Navy officer said here on Wednesday.
"The USD 85 million for repair technical documentation
was for buying all detailed charts, diagrams and instructions
for the machinery and equipment that are on-board Gorshkov,"
the officer said.
The technical documentation was bought as a complete set
right away because Gorshkov, rechristened INS Vikramaditya
would be the only warship of its class that India was buying
from Russia. Its delivery is scheduled for end of 2012.
"With these documents, India can carry on with repair and
maintenance of the warship within India independently without
having to send the aircraft carrier back to Russia, as we do
in the case of Kilo class submarines," he said.
The documentation cost would be much lower than the
maintenance and repair cost of the warship if it had to go to
Russia for the purpose, leave alone the cost of sailing there
and returning to India, he added. PTI NCB