PM Modi unveils India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier- INS Vikrant

Sep 2, 2022

By: Rahul Verma

Credit: Indian Navy

INS Vikrant: First Indigenously-built aircraft carrier

India is all set to touch a historical milestone with regard to the country’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ with its first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier soon to be commissioned with a new name, Vikrant.

Credit: Indian Navy

The INS Vikrant

The ‘Vikrant’ is set to commission on September 2, 2022, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The aircraft landing trials on INS Vikrant will begin in November and will be completed by mid-2023.

Credit: Indian Navy

Operational cost

INS Vikrant is the largest ship ever built by India, at a cost of ₹20,000 crores.

Credit: Marineinsight

History behind its name

It was named after India's first aircraft carrier, which was in service from 1961 to 1997 that played a vital role in the 1971 war with Pakistan.

Credit: Indian navy

Dimensions

The warship is 262m long and 62m wide; it displaces approximately 43,000 tonnes when fully loaded; the maximum designed speed of 28 knots with an endurance of 7500 nautical miles.

Credit: Indian navy

Working mechanism of Vikrant

The warship works on ‘Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery Mechanism’ (STOBAR). The mechanism is very similar to the present carrier INS Vikramaditya. 4 General Electric gas turbines power INS Vikrant.

Credit: Indian navy

Aircraft on board

Kamov-31 Air Early Warning Helicopters | MiG-29K fighter jets | Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) | Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy) | MiG-29K fighter jets.

Credit: Indian navy

Weapons

Anti-Surface Warfare | Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare | Offensive and defensive Counter-Air | Airborne Early Warning.

Credit: Indian navy

Some other features

2,200 compartments constructed for crew members | Specialized cabins for women officers and sailors | State-of-the-art medical facilities

Credit: Indian navy

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