India's second aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, acquired from the Russian Navy, is expected to arrive in Mumbai in the first half of 2008, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval command, Vice-Admiral Madanjit Singh said in Mumbai Thursday.
The carrier has undergone several modifications and has been fitted with some Indian equipment, Singh said.
The carrier will undergo a year of trials in Russia before being sent here.
"India's first indigenous aircraft carrier is expected to be ready within eight years. By then, we expect the naval version of Light Combat Aircraft to be ready," he added.
The navy is creating an operational base for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) near Porbunder in Gujarat, he said adding, land has already been acquired for the project. The Navy was also evaluating a ship-launched version of the UAVs, he said.
Asked about China building a new aircraft carrier, Singh said it had improved its shipbuilding capabilities. "Their nuclear submarine programme is a cause of worry for the United States," he added.
Post the 9/11 terror attacks in the US, the focus now was on low intensity conflict, electronic warfare and sea piracy, Singh said and added that Indian Navy was gearing up to face these challenges.
