INS Vikramaditya to undergo first refit next year

Aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, India’s biggest warship, will undergo its first refit next year and it is likely to be carried out at Pipavav shipyard, part of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group.

Defence sources said that the first refit of the 45000- tonne ship will be done after the International Fleet Review in February 2016. While the Russians, being the original manufacturer, will carry out the refit, the sources said it is likely to be conducted at Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat and will also involve Indian engineers and workers.

Details of all the repairs required to be carried out at Pipavav have been received and a budgetary quote is being prepared, the sources said. The refit is expected to take four months. Vikramaditya is a modified <g data-gr-id="13">Kiev-class</g> aircraft carrier which was purchased by India from Russia for the navy.