Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: India’s newest pride INS Vikramaditya has started on its journey home from the Russian town Severodvinsk – after a nine year refit programme.
Captained by Commodore Suraj Berry, the 44,500 tonne warship is expected to reach its homeport Karwar in Karnataka in January. From Severodvinsk the aircraft carrier is heading for Murmansk where it will stop for refuelling and then proceed home.
On its journey to India, Vikramaditya will be accompanied by Talwar class frigate INS Trishank and a refuler ship INS Deepak.
Vikramaditya was commissioned by defence minister AK Antony on November 16. It is India’s second aircraft carrier currently in service – the other is INS Viraat.
During the long journey the ship will go through three oceans and several seas. Navy personal will be conducting testing systems like air conditioning systems during the journey.
Besides the 1,600-member Indian crew, a team of Russian experts of around 180 technicians are also aboard the ship. The Russian will assist the Indian Navy personal in operating the ship properly and handle possible technical problems.
