Violations revealed while repairs of Admiral Gorshkov will be adjudged

29.12.2010 Procuracy of Arkhangelsk region referred to court a criminal action on illegal enterprise at aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov which is being repaired at Sevmash shipyard for Indian Navy, reports the agency.

The criminal case was initiated against director general of JSC SMK-Alternativa Inna Salmanova in accordance with clause 171/2 (illegal enterprise), the RF Criminal Code.

"As for investigators, the company headed by Mrs. Salmanova had been repairing aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Gorshkov since December 2008 till January 2010 without a license permitting repairs of weapon systems", says the press release.

The works were held in accordance with contract agreement with Sevmash and brought a huge return to JSC SMK-Alternativa – over RUR 17 mln.

Works on interim overhaul and refitting of Admiral Gorshkov are conducted under a contract tied between Indian defense ministry and FSUE Rosoboronexport in accordance with an intergovernmental agreement and the order of Russian president.

It was mentioned in the press release that the criminal case had been investigated by regional FSB branch.

Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov undergoes remanufacturing at Sevmash shipyard with a view to join Indian Navy. The ship will change not only her appearance but the name too, and become INS Vikramaditya (stands for "Almighty"). It is planned to deliver the upgraded cruiser on Dec 4, 2012. Presumably, the air wing will consist of 30 aircrafts including fighters MiG-29K, MiG-29KUB and up to 10 helicopters. There has not been officially reported of the ship's armament.

Initially, the contract cost was about $1.5 bln. As a result of Putin's visit to Delhi in March, new supplementary agreement was signed determining the contract cost as $2.3 bln.