December 3, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 8, 1424

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NEW DELHI, Dec 2: India will buy the 44,500-ton Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov for Rs30 billion ($652 million), India’s navy chief announced on Tuesday.

The price includes two squadrons of Mig-29 K fighter jets, Admiral Madhvendra Singh told reporters.

He said the deal would likely be signed within the next few months, but added the carrier would only be inducted into the Indian navy in four-and-a-half years time.

Negotiations for the Russian ship have dragged on for three years due to differences over the price and other terms.

The Indian navy decommissioned one of its two aircraft carriers in January 1997, while the second is due to be retired in a couple of years.—AFP