Table of Contents
INS Vikrant: History
- INS Vikrant was the first-ever aircraft carrier owned and operated by the Indian Navy.
- The ship was being built for the Royal Navy as HMS (Her Majesty’s Ship) Hercules. Its construction was put on hold after World War II ended.
- India purchased the under-constructed HMS Hercules in 1957 and was commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikrant in 1961.
- Features: INS Vikrant operated aircrafts with a catapult assisted system and ski-jump during its service.
- It had a length of 210 metres.
- Participation in war: INS Vikrant participated in 1971 war with Pakistan when it led the Naval blockade of East Pakistan.
- Decommissioning: The ship was decommissioned in 1997 after 36 years of service. It was preserved as a museum ship for the next 15 years before being finally sold to be dismantled.
INS Vikrant: Development
- Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), a public sector shipbuilding entity under the Ministry of Shipping, was tasked with building INS Vikrant.
- The keel of the IAC-I was laid on February 28, 2009. The IAC was launched on August 12 in 2013.
- Sea trials: The sea trials of INS Vikrant started in August 2021. The final phase of sea trials for the INS Vikrant was completed on July 10.
- The first three phases tested the propulsion machinery, electrical and electronic suites, deck machinery, life-saving appliances, ship’s navigation and communication systems.
- Fourth and final phase of sea trials focused on integrated testing of the majority of the equipment and systems
INS Vikrant: Features
- Speed: INS Vikrant has a maximum designed speed of 28 knots with endurance of 7,500 nautical miles. The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines.
- Aircraft fleet: INS Vikrant can carry MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, US origin MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
- Launching mechanism: The aircraft carrier employs Short Take Off but Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) model with a ski-jump for launching aircraft, and a set of three arrester wires for aircraft recovery.
INS Vikrant: Significance for India:
- Blue water Navy: Commissioning of INS Vikrant will strengthen the country’s standing as a ‘Blue Water Navy’.
- Indian Navy will strengthen its global reach and enhance capability to operate over deep seas.
- Elite standing: India will join an elite group comprising of countries such as US, Russia, France, the UK and China, who are capable of designing and constructing aircraft carriers.
- Boost for local economy: Indian Navy has said that around 80 to 85% cost been injected back into the Indian economy with complete indigenous construction, 76% indigenous content and providing employment to 15,000 people directly and indirectly.
INS Vikrant: Challenges in future
- High cost of operation: Cost of operation and maintenance of Aircraft carriers is very high. This makes their operations challenging.
- Vulnerability: Aircraft carriers are vulnerable to damages both during wars and during peacetime.
- Matching rivals: China is rapidly expanding its maritime force by building aircraft carrier. It is expected to increase its presence in Indian Ocean Region.
- INS Vikrant would need support of other such aircraft carriers for challenging Chinese
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