INS Vikrant: PM Modi commissions India's first indigenous aircraft carrier
What's the story
INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, was formally commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday after it completed a year of sea trials. About 262 meters long and 62 meters wide, the 45,000-ton INS Vikrant has been built at the cost of Rs. 20,000 crore and is the biggest warship to be constructed in India. Here's all about INS Vikrant.
Context
Why does this story matter?
INS Vikrant puts India in a select group of nations that can design and build aircraft carriers. It has been named after its predecessor, which played an essential role in the 1971 war against Pakistan. With INS Vikrant in its arsenal (in addition to Russia-made INS Vikramaditya), India can now deploy aircraft carriers at both eastern and western seaboards and expand its maritime position.
Details
INS Vikrant: A city on the move
INS Vikrant can accommodate 30 aircraft on board, including helicopters and MiG-29K fighter jets, and can house a crew of 1,600 people. In the beginning, the warship will have MiGs and choppers, and the Indian Navy will run aviation trials on INS Vikrant soon. The warship is a result of decade-long efforts by various arms of the Indian administration.
Twitter Post
Watch: PM Modi commissions INS Vikrant
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi commissions indigenous Aircraft Carrier IAC Vikrant, the largest most complex warship ever built in India's maritime history, into the Indian Navy at a ceremony in Kochi, Kerala. #INSVikrant pic.twitter.com/8oiQN2AnMg
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2022
PM Modi
'It's not just a warship': PM Modi
While commissioning INS Vikrant at the Cochin Shipyard, PM Modi said, "Vikrant is distinct, special...not just a warship, it is the evidence of the hard work, talent, impact, and commitment of India of the 21st century (sic)." PM Modi highlighted INS Vikrant's "swadeshi" elements and said the steel used is made in India, and the cables used can stretch from Kochi to Kashi (Varanasi).
Twitter Post
PM Modi on INS Vikrant
VIKRANT, VIRAT, VIHANGAM!
— Prasar Bharati News Services Digital Platform (@PBNS_India) September 2, 2022
WATCH | INS Vikrant is the symbol of New India's potential, hardwork and commitment. If challenges are large, obstacles are many, then India's answer is Vikrant: PM @narendramodi#INSVikrant@indiannavy pic.twitter.com/Z5karYx6n2
Navy
'As big as two football fields'
According to the Navy, the warship is 18 floors tall and as long as two football fields combined. Its hangar is as big as two Olympic-size swimming pools and is equipped with 250 tankers of fuel, 2,400 compartments, and a 16-bed hospital. The warship will be the latest addition to the Navy's fleet of one aircraft carrier, 12 frigates, 20 corvettes, and 10 destroyers.
Twitter Post
Watch: India gets first home-made aircraft carrier
#WATCH | Shaping a dream building a nation. Designed by the Indian Navy and constructed by CSL Cochin, a shining beacon of AatmaNirbhar Bharat, IAC #Vikrant is all set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy.
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2022
(Source: Indian Navy) pic.twitter.com/LpHADHTlPk