India, Russia settled all issues on Admiral Gorshkov upgrade

(Rusnavy) : India and Russia have settled all issues on modernization of aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov, said the Chairman of Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev on June 6 summarizing talks with his Indian counterpart – Shivshankar Menon, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India.

"We talked over military cooperation issues, particularly on the Admiral Gorshkov matter and the contract deadlines. We've no questions, Indian partners either", emphasized Patrushev.

He pointed out that "there were no irresolvable issues" during the talks with Mr. Menon, reports ITAR-TASS. "Sure, some subjects must be discussed and supported", Patrushev added. According to him, "certain problems did require summit decisions earlier on". "Now we resolve all issues routinely", Patrushev said.

"At the past, we needed solutions of national leaders; now there are no such problems, including modernization of Admiral Gorshkov", assured Patrushev.

In 2004, Moscow and New Delhi tied an agreement on retrofitting of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (former Russian Project 11434 aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov). Defense-oriented shipyard Sevmash postponed the ship's completion deadlines many times.

The aircraft carrier is supposed to join Indian Navy late in 2012.