Kadamba naval base of Karwar is busy in preparing to install air defence system in India's largest warship INS Vikramaditya in another two months. The warship which was anchored in the Kadamba naval base few months back is now involved in patrolling. After it returns to the naval base, air defence system will be installed and the equipment in it will be refitted. The process will be completed by July end, informed Navy sources.
The Navy plans to transfer an Israeli Barak missile system from a Godavari-class ship to the aircraft carrier that was bought from the Russians. This will be a shot in the arm for the over Rs 15,000 crore aircraft carrier that has been without a defence system, since it joined the Indian Navy in November 16, 2013.
The aircraft carrier does not have any self-defence weapons on board, barring a chaff and flare system. An escort group of warships had been sent to Russia to bring the carrier to India. The new installation will take place during the ongoing 'short refit' that is been carried out on the carrier at Karwar. Interestingly, it does not even have a close-in weapons system (CIWS) to shoot incoming air attacks close range.
Sources said a CIWS from a Godavari-class ship, will also be installed on it during the ongoing refit.
Vikramaditya, a floating airfield, has an overall Length of about 284 metres and a maximum beam of about 60 metres, stretching as much as three football fields put together. Standing about 20 tall from the keel to the highest point, the ship has a total of 22 decks and carries 1,600 personnel.
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