Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated INS Vikrant, first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC -1), to the nation. PM commissioned the prestigious warship of Bharat around 10am this morning, September 2, 20220 at Cochin Shipyard premises in Kochi. Earlier Naval officers and soldiers accorded a ceremonious Guard of Honour to the PM.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajith Dowal, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan, Bharat’s Navy chief Admiral R. Harikumar and Cochin Shipyard’s CMD Madhu S. Nair shared the dais with the PM. Madhu S. Nair welcomed the gathering. He said, it was a proud moment for the country as Vikrant is the first indigenously built aircraft carrier. He highlighted the remarkable role of Indian Navy, DRDO, Cochin Shipyard and several private companies who rubbed the shoulders for this unique achievement. CMD said that 76 % of the ship’s components are made in Bharat. He cited this as a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Vikrant symbolises our three dimension growth – Defence, Disaster Relief and All-Out Combat.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that Vikrant is the symbol of self- reliance and launch is a moment of pride for the entire nation.
Prime Minister launched the new vessel, commissioned and dedicated it to the nation. It is the largest ship Bharat has ever built. Now Bharat is in the club of handful nations with capability to indigenously design and manufacture aircraft carriers above 40,000 tons. PM said on the occasion that this launch is a new sunrise from the Kerala coasts for the whole Bharat. He said Vikrant in the sea and Tejas in the sky (HAL Tejas, Indian, single engine, delta wing, light multirole fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency in collaboration with Aircraft Research & Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited {HAL} for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy) is capable of facing any challenge. He said, Vikrant is Vishal, Virat, Vishesh, Vishwas. Vikrant is not a mere warship, but the Amruth from the Azadi Ka Amruth Varsh. Kochi witnesses a historic moment. It is Kochi’s pride, it is built in Cochin Shipyard. PM was too pleased to acknowledge the presence of women in our Navy. He said, more women will be inducted.
PM also unveiled the new flag for the Indian Navy, as an absolute detachment from the colonial past. St. George’s Cross will no more be visible. The new flag displays our national flag and national symbol. PM dedicated the new flag to Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharj. Indian Navy’s video showcasing the new ensign nishan said that Chatrapathi Shivaji’s visionary maritime outlook established a credible naval fleet. Another video displayed our Navy’s war history.
Salient features of INS Vikrant, the largest warship Bharat has built so far:
- At 262 metres long and 62 metres wide, INS Vikrant is the largest our country has indigenously built so far.
- It has the capacity to operate 30 aircraft and helicopters. MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters will initially be deployed on the carrier.
- With 2,300 compartments, the warship can accommodate a crew of nearly 1,600 including women.
- The flight deck size is of two football grounds and one will cover eight kilometres just by walking through its corridors,
- The carrier is equipped with ski-jumps to launch aircraft and has a series of ‘arrest wires’ for their recovery on board.
- The eight power generators on board IAC Vikrant can light up the entire city of Kochi.
- The ship does have a state-of-the-art medical complex with the most sophisticated medical facilities.
- These include major modular OT, emergency modular OT, physiotherapy clinic, ICU, laboratories, CT scanner, X-Ray machines, dental complex, isolation ward, and telemedicine facilities and so on.
- Vikrant has a full displacement of about 45,000 tons, which is much larger and more advanced than the old abandoned Vikrant.
- INS Vikrant has been built using indigenous equipment and machinery supplied by India’s major industrial houses as well as over 100 MSMEs. Now Bharat enjoys two operational aircraft carriers, which boost the maritime security of our country.
Aircraft carrier is one of the biggest marine assets of a country with long coastlines. It is an essential and powerful part of any naval force. Such warships strengthen Navy to move far from its base country to carry out manoeuvres in other nations’ waters or areas. By inducting Vikrant into Navy, Bharat will have two operational aircraft carriers, which will boost the maritime security of the nation. INS Vikramaditya is the other aircraft carrier in Bharat’s Navy Fleet.
