INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously designed and constructed aircraft carrier, symbolizes the nation’s significant strides in maritime self-reliance and defense capabilities. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on September 2, 2022, this formidable vessel underscores India’s commitment to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative.
🛠️ Design and Construction
The journey of INS Vikrant began in 1999, with its keel laid in 2009 at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kerala. The ship was launched in August 2013 and underwent extensive sea trials before its commissioning. With over 76% indigenous content, INS Vikrant showcases India’s prowess in naval engineering and shipbuilding. navalnews.com+9currentaffairs.adda247.com+9affairzone.com+9freepressjournal.in+9affairzone.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9militaryfactory.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4newsblare.com+4edurev.in+4tyeblogs.com+4
⚙️ Technical Specifications
- Displacement: Approximately 45,000 tonnes
- Length: 262 meters
- Beam: 62 meters
- Propulsion: 4 × General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines
- Speed: Up to 30 knots (56 km/h)
- Range: Approximately 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km)
- Crew: Around 1,600 personnel, including aircrew
INS Vikrant employs a Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) configuration, featuring a ski-jump for aircraft take-off and arresting wires for landing. en.wikipedia.org+2newsblare.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2vajiramandravi.com+11currentaffairs.adda247.com+11affairzone.com+11en.wikipedia.org+7en.wikipedia.org+7edurev.in+7defencewiki.colonelvyas.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+8indiebharat.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8
✈️ Air Wing and Armament
The carrier can operate up to 36 aircraft, including:
- Fixed-wing aircraft: MiG-29K multirole fighters, with plans to integrate the naval variant of the HAL Tejas and the upcoming Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF).
- Rotary-wing aircraft: Kamov Ka-31 for airborne early warning, MH-60R Seahawks for anti-submarine warfare, and HAL Dhruv helicopters.
For defense, INS Vikrant is equipped with:
- Barak 8 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) systems
- AK-630 Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS)
- Advanced radar and electronic warfare suites, including the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA radar and the DRDO Shakti Electronic Warfare suite. edurev.in+8affairzone.com+8defencewiki.colonelvyas.org+8worlddefencenews.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7en.wikipedia.org+7defencewiki.colonelvyas.org+4worlddefencenews.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4edurev.in+1vajiramandravi.com+1en.wikipedia.org+5indiebharat.com+5worlddefencenews.com+5en.wikipedia.org+9defencewiki.colonelvyas.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9
🌊 Strategic Significance
INS Vikrant enhances India’s maritime capabilities, allowing for sustained operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It serves as a platform for power projection, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance. The carrier’s deployment alongside INS Vikramaditya enables a dual-carrier battle group, bolstering India’s naval presence and readiness. alphadefense.in+11vajiramandravi.com+11en.wikipedia.org+11alphadefense.in
🏛️ Legacy and National Pride
Named after India’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant (R11), which played a pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the new Vikrant carries forward a legacy of valor and service. Its commissioning marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing and underscores the nation’s growing stature as a maritime power.
INS Vikrant stands as a testament to India’s engineering excellence and strategic foresight, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests and contributing to regional stability.
Hello