RUSSIA: New Deal with India on Admiral Gorshkov Carrier Overhaul

15 November, RIA Novosti reported that Russia and India will be signing a new deal to provide additional funds needed for the Russian refit of the Admiral Goshkov aircraft carrier. In 2004 a deal was signed where Russia would give India the inactive aircraft carrier hull under the conditions that India agree to a future USD 1.5 billion contract. The contract would include modernization, refitting with new weaponry, and aircraft. However in 2008, Russia pushed back the completion date to 2012, and claimed an additional USD 1.2 billion was required to complete the refit. The deal is expected to be signed by 19 November, at the conclusion of the Dubai Air Show.