Just 2
days back, India's print media had reported that sea trials of
India's new aircraft carrier, purchased from Russia, were not
satisfactory. There were reports of ship's boilers malfunctioning and
some other gear on board like nitrogen generators, refrigerators and
boilers found defective. The reports of unsatisfactory sea trials is
a huge embarrassment for the Russians, as the delay in commissioning
the ship had reached to the level of the Russian president and he had
intervened personally to get the much delayed project back on rails.
The delivery of the ship has been delayed by more than four years
and the refurbishment costs of this once partly burnt ship, even
though received as a free gift to India as a goodwill gesture, has
almost doubled.
For
the Indians, this news was a huge disappointment as INS Vikramaditya (as the ship is now known) is a huge aircraft carrier capable of
operating most modern aircraft. With only few years left for aging
INS Virat: India's only operational aircraft carrier, this ship is
badly needed in the Indian fleet. The reports mentioned about a
further delay in handing over the ship of about six months. It was
also feared that the Flight trials or landing of fighter aircraft on
the ship’s deck, which had started late would have to be suspended
later this month due to the onset of near-Arctic conditions in the
Russian north. The trials could be resumed only when weather improves
around March next year. It is now reported that someone, somewhere
had goofed and the fact is that the sea trials have been actually
very successful. Though news about the delay in the date of arrival
of the ship to India is unfortunately true. The real reasons for this
delay are not the defects in the ship but rather the harsh arctic
winter of Russia's north.
The
ship returned to the “Sevmash” shipyard in Russia a week ago
after the trials. Indian Navy’s overseeing team, who closely
monitored the sea trials, has actually came to the conclusion that
the ship had overall done extremely well and the programme of tests
had been largely fulfilled. A protocol was signed this week by Vice
Admiral Nadella Niranjan Kumar, Controller Warship Production and
Acquisition (CWPA), which analysed the results of the trial and
detailed the remaining work. As per observations made by India team;
The
main conclusion from the trials is that the INS Vikramaditya has
stood the test as a full-fledged highly capable aircraft carrier The
ship displayed excellent seaworthiness and manoeuvrability and
performed flawlessly during aircraft takeoff and landing. It’s
sophisticated radio-electronic, navigation and other systems
demonstrated high efficiency and reliability. Indian Navy officers
were particularly impressed by the flight programme. A MiG-29K and a
MiG-29KUB 4++ generation fighters performed 41 impeccable take-offs
and landings with full arms payload and additional fuel tanks. The
combination of Russia and India-made optical and electronic landing
systems enabled the Russian pilots in 70 percent of the landings to
hook the second out of three arrestor wires, which is considered a
perfect result. The 44000-ton vessel also displayed superior
maneuverability, performing a 360-degree turn at a minimum radius
equal to one-and-a-half hull length at a speed of 18 knots.
The
reports of the defects found, it seems are much exaggerated. The
malfunctioning of the boilers that occurred during high-speed tests
has been pinned down to a new insulation material placed between the
boiler steel casing and the outer firebricks, instead of conventional
asbestos lining. This was done at India's request. Slight deformation
was observed in this replacement material. No replacement or removal
of the boilers is required. India has now agreed to replace the new
insulation lining materials with conventional asbestos materials. The
defects in other gear on board also would be rectified.
Russian
shipbuilders have promised to complete all repairs by the beginning
of next year. It is expected that the Indian flag-raising ceremony on
the gigantic ship will be held on some designated date in December
and an Indian crew will start taking over operations instead of in
October 2012. Unfortunately, this 2 month delay would mean that the
ship can leave for India only by next October. Because of the near
arctic conditions in the White Sea, the pre-delivery trials can be
resumed only in late May 2013, when sea ice melts away.
(This
blog post is based on a news item in The Hindu)
4th
October 2011
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