LOC16:19
13:19 GMT
Chief
NEW DELHI, June 9 (KUNA) -- Russian aircraft carrier 'Admiral Gorshkov'
will be inducted into the Indian Navy later this year, country's naval chief
Admiral Sureesh Mehta said Saturday.
"We are inducting Gorshkov by the later part of the next year," India's
Navy Chief told reporters after reviewing the passing out parade at the Indian
Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun in Northern Indian state of Uttaranchal,
news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Gorshkov has a sea endurance of 30 days and a capacity to carry more than 2,
000 sailors. India has bought the Russian carrier in 2004 after years of
negotiations.
Admiral Mehta also said the Indian Navy was finalising a proposal for the
purchase of equipments from abroad.
"Modernisation plans of the navy are on the right track. We have moved far
ahead in our modernisation plans," he added.
He said the Indian Navy would be adding 40 more new ships in the near
future. "For this purpose, orders have already been placed for building 33 new
ships in Indian yards while six ships are being purchased from abroad," he
added. The Indian Navy presently has 136 warships and plans to purchase six
submarines.
"The order-book of all the Indian yards is full," Admiral Mehta said adding
the budget allocation for the purchase of new ships has already been
allocated. (end)
dr.bz.
KUNA 091619 Jun 07NNNN