Russia hands over refurbished aircraft carrier to India

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MOSCOW, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russia has handed over a refurbished aircraft carrier to the Indian Navyin in a ceremony at the Arctic port of Severodvinsk on Saturday morning.

INS Vikramaditya, converted from the Admiral Gorshkov heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser, was officially transferred at the ceremony.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony attended the ceremony, local media reported, citing arms exporter Rosoboronexport.

Originally built in the Soviet era, the 2.3-billion-U.S. dollar worth Kiev-class warship was being reconditioned and was due to be ready for delivery in 2012.

However, following a glitch found in its power plant, Moscow delayed the handover last October, prompting an angry response from New Delhi.

INS Vikramaditya completed its sea trails successfully this July and aviation trails in September.

INS Vikramaditya will become India's second aircraft carrier after INS Viraat. The South Asian country plans to acquire more aircraft carriers in the future to bolster its naval strength.

The aircraft carrier will be escorted by other warships during its voyage back home. It is expected to arrive in India by February 2014, Russian officials said.

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