Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau General Director Sergei Vlasov said that India has declined to install Russian air defense systems on the Vikramaditya, but there is reserved space for Russian air defense systems.

Russia may install its air defense systems on the Indian Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, Nevskoye Planning and Design Bureau General Director Sergei Vlasov said Wednesday.

In November 2013, the refurbished Vikramaditya, formerly known as the Admiral Gorshkov, was commissioned by India for a record-breaking $2.35 billion after almost a decade of negotiations with Russia since the initial $947 million deal for the purchase of the ship was signed in 2004.

"At that time, the Indians refused to install Russian air defense systems on the Vikramaditya, but we have reserved space there for our air defense systems... This is allowed under our contract," Vlasov told RIA Novosti.

Along with the aircraft carrier, India also bought 12 single-seat MiG-29Ks and four two-seat MiG-29KUBs for $526 million.

In 2015, representatives of the Russian Sevmash shipbuilding company and the Indian Navy signed a contract for technical assistance in the maintenance of the aircraft carrier during the period not covered by warranty.

Russia May Become Partner in India's Aircraft Carrier Project
The Vikramaditya aircraft carrier built in Russian shipyards forms the bulk of the Indian navy and is one of the most powerful combat units in the Indian Ocean.

Russia appears to be India's most logical partner in the construction of the latest IAC-2 aircraft carrier, official representative of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (TSAMTO) told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.

Earlier, India appealed to Russia's "Rosoboronexport" company as well as to US, British and French enterprises with the request to participate in the development and construction of the modern Indian aircraft carrier with a displacement of 65 thousand tons.

TSAMTO representatives argue that cooperation based on Russian technologies would be profitable for both countries. It would make sense for India to equipe the new aircraft carrier with MiG-29K / KUB Russian fighter planes, which are already placed aboard the aircraft carrier, the official said.

He also noted that Russia actively contributed to the modernization of the Indian navy by supplying Kilo-class submarines and Project 11356 frigates.

Earlier, Indian and Russian enterprises signed an agreement on the establishment of a joint venture to repair submarines.

Source: Sputnik News