Why in news?
India's Prime Minister celebrated the festival of Diwali aboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and praised the unity of the armed forces. The event drew attention to the indigenous warship, which symbolises India's growing maritime capabilities.
Background
The original INS Vikrant served in the Indian Navy from 1961 to 1997 and played a key role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. To maintain carrier aviation capability, India launched the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1) project. The new Vikrant was designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built at Cochin Shipyard Limited. Keel-laying occurred in 2009 and the vessel was commissioned in September 2022, making it India's first home-grown aircraft carrier.
Features
- Size and power: At 262 m long and 62 m wide, the carrier is roughly the size of two football fields laid end to end. It displaces around 43,000 tonnes and has 14 decks, including a hangar large enough to house two Olympic-size swimming pools.
- Propulsion: Four gas-turbine engines generate 88 MW of power, enabling a top speed of 28 knots (about 52 km/h) and a range of 8,600 miles. The ship can remain at sea for 45 days without replenishment.
- Air wing: Vikrant can carry up to 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 and MH-60R helicopters, and India's own Advanced Light Helicopter and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy). Its short take-off but arrested landing (STOBAR) configuration features a ski-jump for launching aircraft and arrester wires for recovery.
- Crew and facilities: Around 1,600 personnel operate the ship. Onboard amenities include a 16-bed hospital, numerous workshops and nearly 2,400 compartments across 18 floors.
Significance
Building INS Vikrant domestically demonstrates India's ability to design and construct complex warships. The carrier boosts the Navy's capacity to protect sea lanes, respond to crises and project power in the Indian Ocean. It also reflects the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative by reducing dependence on foreign defence equipment. The Prime Minister's Diwali visit underscored national pride and the government's support for the armed forces.
Conclusion
INS Vikrant's commissioning marks a milestone in India's naval history. As the ship progresses toward full operational capability, it will serve as a training ground for aviators and sailors and lay the foundation for future indigenous carriers. Continued investment in crew training and maintenance will ensure that Vikrant becomes a powerful symbol of India's maritime ambition.