India’s first indigenous-built and designed aircraft carrier began its sea trial voyage on Wednesday from the coast of Kochi, this achievement has put India on the list of nations that are capable of manufacturing these powerful navy vessels.
When the aircraft carrier would be commissioned in the Indian Navy, next year, it would be named INS Vikrant, the same name as the Indian Navy’s first aircraft carrier that was decommissioned in 1997 after more than 35 years of service.
Vikrant has put India in the select league with only the USA, the UK, Russia, China and France having the capability to build aircraft carriers.
Also Read: Ayodhya Ram Temple premises likely to open for devotees by 2023-end: source
The Navy said in a statement celebrating a “proud and historic day for India as the reincarnated Vikrant sails for her maiden sea trials today, in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessor’s key role in the victory in the 1971 war. Largest & most complex warship ever to be designed & built in India.
Many more will follow...”
Vikrant has been build at the state-owned Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and is designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND).
Cochin Shipyard Limited shared the joy and tweeted, “Proud Day for @cslcochin and @shipmin_india. Nation-building at its best. #AtmaNirbharBharat thanks to Indian Navy for the trust.”
The total cost of the project is nearly Rs 23,000 crore. In June, defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited CSL to check the progress of the project.
Also read: In Pics: Happy moments of Men’s hockey team at Olympics after winning Bronze
According to the statement by the Indian Navy, the aircraft carrier would operate the Russian-built MiG-29K fighter aircraft and Kamov-31 air early warning helicopters, the indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and the soon-to-be-inducted MH-60R multirole helicopters manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Currently, India operates an aircraft carrier – INS Vikramaditya, which was a second-hand purchase by the Russian Government. INS Vikramaditya was a purchase of $2.33 billion. On the other hand, China has two aircraft carriers – CV-16 Liaoning and CV-17 Shandong and the third aircraft carrier is under construction as it expands its footprints in the Indian Ocean.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also extended the wishes and tweeted, “The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 'Vikrant', designed by Indian Navy's Design Team and built by @cslcochin, undertook its maiden sea sortie today. A wonderful example of @makeinindia. Congratulations to @indiannavy and @cslcochin on this historic milestone.”