INS Vikrant is India`s first indigenous aircraft carrier
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday commissioned India`s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi and said that it is "proof of 21st century India's effort and talent." PM Narendra Modi earlier unveiled the new ensign of the Indian Navy. In his inaugural speech, the PM said, "Today India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with new confidence, has created a new confidence in the country."
The PM while calling INS Vikrant a "unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant,'' said, "If the goals are quick, the journeys are long, the ocean and the challenges are endless - then India's answer is Vikrant. The incomparable elixir of the elixir of freedom is Vikrant. Vikrant is a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant."
"(INS) Vikrant is massive, it's a giant. Vikrant is distinct, Vikrant is special. It is not just a warship but a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of 21st century India," he added while lauding the efforts of all those who made the project successful.
INS Vikrant: Top features
INS Vikrant has been built with state-of-the-art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India. It has been designed by the Indian Navy`s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said an ANI report.
The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is named after her illustrious predecessor, India`s first aircraft carrier, which had played a vital role in the 1971 war. It has a large amount of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country as well as over 100 MSMEs. With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will have two operational aircraft carriers, which will bolster the maritime security of the nation. As per the Indian Navy, the 262-meter-long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and more advanced than her predecessor.
Speaking about the specifications of IAC Vikrant, Vice Admiral Hampiholi had reportedly said: "Vikrant carries a mix of about 30 aircraft. It could fly the MiG 29k fighter aircraft in anti-air, anti-surface and land attack roles. It will be able to operate the Kamov 31 which is an early air warning helicopter, the recently inducted but yet-to-be commissioned MH-60R which is a multi-role helicopter as also our very indigenous ALH. It displaces about 45,000 tonnes which is definitely the largest warship in the Indian naval inventory."
