DefenseNews reports Russia tries to bankrupt the Indian naval war chest:

When Russia gave India a retired Soviet aircraft carrier five years ago, New Delhi was delighted - little realizing the vessel would turn into a costly white elephant.
Russia, India’s longtime weapons supplier, said in 2004 it would give the country the 44,570-ton “Admiral Gorshkov” as a gift, provided Delhi paid a Russian shipyard $974 million to refurbish the carrier.
Since then, the price has skyrocketed for fixing up the 27-year-old ship, which was decommissioned after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In 2007, Russia demanded $850 million more, citing cost escalations.
Then, six months ago, Russia startled India with another demand - this time for 2.9 billion dollars.

Soon-to-be Indian ‘oh bloody hell that’s one angled deck’ carrier Admiral Gorshkov. Photo by Mark Meredith.

Is it just me, or is there a subtle irony in India getting caught out… by a white elephant?