INS Vikrant: India commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi commissioned the nation’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant, at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on September 02, 2022, demonstrating the nation’s growing prowess in indigenous manufacturing and marking a significant turning point in the journey towards “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” The new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), which sheds the colonial past and honours the rich Indian maritime heritage, was also unveiled by the Prime Minister on the occasion. The new ensign was given to Chhatrapati Shivaji as a gift.

The Prime Minister addressed the crowd, stating that everyone in India was seeing the dawn of a new future here on the Keralan coast. This event, which is being held on the INS Vikrant, is meant to honour India’s rising stature in the world. He asserted that the dream of the freedom fighters, who saw a strong and capable India, is being realised today.

No challenge is too difficult for India today, the prime minister said, commenting on the new national spirit. He stated, “Today, India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with new confidence, and has created a new confidence in the country.”

The Navy, Cochin Shipyard engineers, scientists, and especially the workers who worked on the project were all recognised and praised by the prime minister for their contributions. He also mentioned the joyous and auspicious occasion of Onam, which is making the event even happier.

Each component of INS Vikrant has its strengths, merits, and development path. It stands for the potential, resources, and skills of the indigenous people. Additionally indigenous, the steel used in its airbase was created by DRDO scientists and made by Indian businesses, according to him. The Prime Minister compared the Carrier to a floating city to describe its enormous size. According to him, the electrical output is enough to power 5000 homes, and the wiring will travel from Kochi to Kashi. He said that INS Vikrant is a physical representation of the Panch Prans Spirit that he proclaimed from the Red Fort ramparts.

The naval prowess and maritime tradition of India were discussed by the Prime Minister. He claimed that Chhatrapati Veer Shivaji Maharaj created a navy based on this sea power that kept the adversaries on their toes. The power of Indian ships and trade through them used to intimidate the British when they arrived in India. So they made the decision to undermine India’s maritime might. The British Parliament at the time passed a law that placed strict restrictions on Indian ships and merchants, as recorded in history, the Prime Minister stated.

The Prime Minister declared that on this historic day, September 2, 2022, slavery has been completely eradicated from India. Starting today, the Indian Navy will fly a new flag. The Indian Navy’s flag still carried the stigma of slavery. But starting today, the new Navy flag will fly in the sky and the sea, as a tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji.

The Prime Minister noted that many women Navy soldiers would be stationed there when Vikrant descended to defend our maritime zone. It is evolving into the lofty identity of the new India with the immense power of the ocean and infinite female power. The Indian Navy has now decided to allow women to join all of its branches. The limitations that were in place have been lifted. There won’t be any limitations or boundaries for the daughters of India, just as there are no limits for the powerful waves.

Drop by drop, the water, according to the prime minister, becomes like a vast ocean. He also brought up the indigenous canon salute on this Independence Day. Similar to this, India will quickly achieve self-sufficiency if every citizen begins to live by the motto “Vocal for Local.”

The largest ship ever built in India’s maritime history, INS Vikrant is equipped with cutting-edge automation features. It includes major national industrial companies as well as more than 100 MSMEs, and it has a significant amount of locally produced machinery and equipment. The carrier is the largest warship in the Indian Navy’s fleet, with a displacement of about 45,000 tonnes.

The name “Vikrant” comes from its illustrious predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier, which was pivotal in the war of 1971. It is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, and was designed by the Indian Navy’s internal Warship Design Bureau (WDB).

Here are some details about INS Vikrant:

1) 262 metres long: The 262-meter-long carrier INS Vikrant, which is much longer and more sophisticated than its predecessor, has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes, according to the Indian Navy.

2) Size of “2 football fields”: According to a video from the Indian Navy, Vikrant is the largest ship ever built in India’s maritime history. It is as large as two football fields.

3) The hangar where the aircraft will be kept is large enough to hold two Olympic swimming pools, according to the Navy.

4) Floating city with 18 floors: Known as a floating city with 18 floors, the INS Vikrant has 14 decks and 2,300 compartments. It can accommodate about 1,500 sea warriors, and its kitchen, known as the ship’s galley, produces about 10,000 chapatis or rotis daily to meet food needs.

5) A mix of about 30 aircraft: When discussing the IAC Vikrant’s specifications, Vice Admiral Hampiholi stated that the INS Vikrant is equipped with a variety of up to 30 aircraft, including MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, as well as locally produced Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).