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.