India-Russia settle Gorshkov price
07 Dec 2009
New Delhi: Indications are that a long argument between India and Russia over the new pricing for aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov's refit programme may have finally drawn to a close with both sides agreeing to a figure of $2.5 billion.
This would be more than the $2.2 billion that India is apparently willing to agree to, and less than $2.9 billion, which the Russians may be adamant about.
As reported earlier, it now seems certain that a final agreement on the Admiral Gorshkov would only be signed with premier Vladimir Putin's visit to India next year.
Such indications are materialising after intensive negotiations by the CNC (contract negotiations committee), which has held four rounds of negotiations, and is now in the ''final stages,'' of securing an agreement, according to Indian Navy chief, Admiral Nirmal Verma, .
India has so far paid over $600 million for the refit of the 44,570-tonne Adm Gorshkov/INS Vikramaditya. The refit programme is underway at the Russian Sevmash Shipyard.