Severodvinsk (Russia), June 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A refurbished Soviet-era aircraft carrier that India has bought began sea trials early Friday in the White Sea.
The Admiral Gorshkov, rechristened INS Vikramaditya, was overhauled at the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia. It was originally scheduled to begin the trials, which will last 120 days, May 25.
A mixed Russian-Indian crew is on board of the vessel but the Indian sailors will mainly act as observers. The Russian commander of the ship is Captain First Rank Igor Ryabko. After initial sea trials in the White Sea the ship will sail to the Barents Sea for exercises with military aircraft.
The Vikramaditya is a Soviet-era Project 1143.4 class aircraft carrier. It was sold to India in 2004 but will be delivered only in December 2012.
--IANS/RIA Novosti
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