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India inches closer to ‘Aatmanirbhar’ as Cochin Shipyard delivers first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier to Indian Navy

India inches closer to ‘Aatmanirbhar’ as Cochin Shipyard delivers first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier to Indian Navy

Maritime history was created on Thursday as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant, built by the Cochin Shipyard delivered to the Indian Navy. The delivery by CSL was done following extensive user acceptance trials. With the delivery of the Aircraft, propelling India into the elite set of nations with this capability.

IAC is a perfect example of the nation’s quest for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat and provides thrust to the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. With an overall indigenous content of 76%.

The Commanding Officer Designate of Vikrant, Commodore Vidyadhar Harke and the Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Madhu S Nair signed the documents relating to the delivery of the vessel.

The 262-meter-long aircraft carrier is the largest ever warship to be built in the country. The vessel, which has a displacement of 45,000 tonnes, has been built at an overall cost of close to 20,000 crore rupees. The IAC is capable of operating  30 aircraft comprising MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft.

The vessel has the facility for Short Take-Off but Arrested Landing, and is equipped with a ski- jump for launching aircraft, besides a set of ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard. The vessel is powered by four Gas Turbines totalling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots.

The vessel will be commissioned and inducted into the services of the Indian Navy by next month. 

The name of  India’s first Aircraft Carrier was also INS  Vikrant which played a vital role in the 1971 war. The  Aircraft Carrier was decommissioned on 3I st  January 1997, after 36 years of glorious service to the Navy. The Defence Ministry said in a press release that the reincarnation of Vikrant is a true testimony to the country’s zeal and fervor in pursuing capability build-up towards enhanced maritime security.

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