The union government would renegotiate the price of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, during the visit of the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in New Delhi. Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh would discuss the Gorshkov issue with his Russian counterpart in a high level summit on December 6.  

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), on Tuesday, asked the Defense Ministry to clear the mater as soon as possible to avoid confrontation with India's most trusted friend. China is also expanding its network across Indian borders and it's the need of hour to address all issues for security sake. Russia is a major exporter of security and defense equipment including Russian built frigates, ships, destroyers and submarines to India.  

The 44,500-tonne Russian aircraft carrier was brought by India in March 2004 at a cost of USD 1.5 billion and sent to the Russian Sevmash Shipyard for repair works. Russians had been demanding an increase of $2.2 billion in price of the aircraft carrier. The price of Gorshkov is still not worked out as per sources. It would replace INS Viraat and be commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya. It has a life span of 30 years and can carry 12 MiG-29 K fighters, 4 dual-seat MiG-29 KUB, six Kamov-27 and Kamov 31 helicopters.

The ship is expected to enter the Indian Navy fleet by 2012 after sea trails.