INS Vikrant for UPSC: Significance, Length, Endurance & Key Features

INS Vikrant: India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, marks a historic leap in the nation’s maritime and defence capabilities. Developed under the broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this 45,000-tonne warship not only strengthens India’s position as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region but also symbolizes a legacy of national pride tracing back to the original INS Vikrant of 1961. With advanced systems, indigenous technologies, and strategic importance, the new Vikrant exemplifies India’s ambitions to become a global maritime power.

What is INS Vikrant?

INS Vikrant (IAC-1) is India’s first indigenously designed and constructed aircraft carrier. Commissioned in 2022, this modern warship symbolizes India’s progress toward defense self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Named after India’s first aircraft carrier acquired from the UK in 1961, the new Vikrant is not just a technological achievement but a strategic milestone in India’s maritime strength. It represents decades of effort—beginning with the indigenous warship INS Ajay in 1960 and the first homegrown frigate, INS Nilgiri, in 1968—to reach full-scale indigenous warship production capability.

Significance of INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant stands as a defining achievement in India's maritime journey, symbolizing both strategic strength and indigenous innovation. Its commissioning marks a crucial milestone in enhancing national security and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

• A Strategic Force Multiplier in the Indian Ocean: India’s location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) places it in a crucial maritime position. The induction of INS Vikrant strengthens India’s role as a net security provider in the region, especially with growing Chinese influence, such as through vessel deployments at Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka. With two operational aircraft carriers (the other being INS Vikramaditya), India is better equipped to project power and secure its maritime interests.
• A Symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Weighing approximately 45,000 tonnes, INS Vikrant is the largest naval vessel built in India. With its development, India joins a select group of nations—the US, UK, France, Russia, Italy, and China—capable of designing and building aircraft carriers. Around 75% of its components are indigenous, including contributions from Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs), large private firms, and MSMEs. However, despite significant progress in indigenisation (90% in "FLOAT", 60% in "MOVE"), the "FIGHT" category—which includes weapon systems and combat technologies—still relies heavily on imports, with only 30% indigenisation achieved.
• Legacy and National Pride: The new Vikrant pays homage to its predecessor, which played a pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War and symbolized India's naval might until its decommissioning in 1997. The name “Vikrant,” meaning courageous, continues its legacy of valor and national pride.

Key Features of INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant showcases cutting-edge naval engineering and technological prowess, reflecting India's growing maritime capabilities. Built with indigenous expertise, it integrates advanced systems designed to support modern naval warfare and power projection.

• Indigenous Construction: Designed by the Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
• Size and Power: Displacement of 45,000 tonnes, length of 262 meters, and width of 62 meters.
• Aircraft Operations: Capable of operating 30 aircraft including MiG-29K fighters and Kamov-31 helicopters.
• Technology: Integrated with multi-function radars, advanced combat systems, and provisions for bio-technical weapons.
• Propulsion: Powered by four gas turbines generating 88 MW, enabling speeds over 28 knots.

Challenges of Indigenisation for Indian Navy

Despite significant strides in indigenous naval development, the Indian Navy continues to face critical challenges on multiple fronts. From dependence on imported components to delays in modernization, these issues hinder the full realization of self-reliant maritime defense capabilities.

• Subsystem Imports: India has not yet achieved complete independence in high-end naval technology, especially in weapons and combat systems.
• Cost and Time Overruns: Complex naval projects like INS Vikramaditya have faced delays and budget escalations.
• Aging Submarine Fleet: India's submarine force, largely conventional, needs modernization. Most existing vessels require resurfacing to recharge batteries, increasing vulnerability.
• Chinese Naval Expansion: China continues to enhance its naval presence, necessitating faster advancement in India's maritime defense.

Government Initiatives to Strengthen Defence Infrastructure

To accelerate self-reliance in defence, the Indian government has launched a series of focused initiatives aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and innovation. These programmes not only promote indigenous capabilities but also encourage private sector participation in building a robust defence ecosystem.

• Positive Indigenisation List (Defence Procurement Policy)
• SRIJAN Portal – to promote local sourcing of defence equipment
• Defence India Startup Challenge – fostering innovation in defence technologies
• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
• FDI cap increased to 74% in defence manufacturing
• Project 75 and 75I – submarine manufacturing programmes
• Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) initiative

The Way Forward

As India advances toward maritime self-reliance, a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy is essential to sustain momentum. Strengthening technological innovation, industrial collaboration, and global engagement will be key to transforming India into a leading naval power.

• Technological Independence: India must channel its R&D toward futuristic technologies like unmanned underwater vehicles, AI-enabled underwater domain awareness, bio-fuels, and advanced radar systems.
• Collaborative Industrial Ecosystem: All sectors—public, private, and MSMEs—must operate as integrated stakeholders to create a sustainable defense production base that meets the Navy’s growing needs.
• Combat Preparedness: To maintain combat readiness, India must balance indigenous development with strategic imports until full capability is achieved.
• Global Defence Export Hub: India should streamline defence export authorisation procedures and promote its indigenous products internationally.
• Modernizing Shipyards: Shipbuilding infrastructure must evolve to global benchmarks to ensure quality, productivity, and timely delivery.
• Maritime Diplomacy and Security: India’s evolving naval capacity, led by INS Vikrant, is central to its role as a stabilizing force in the Indian Ocean, committed to peace and security.

INS Vikrant and UPSC Relevance

For UPSC aspirants, INS Vikrant touches multiple GS Paper topics:

• GS Paper II: India’s foreign policy and maritime diplomacy
• GS Paper III: Defence technology, indigenisation, and internal security
• Essay and Interview: Symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s strategic autonomy

INS Vikrant has appeared in previous year questions and is likely to feature in upcoming exams under themes like defense preparedness, Indo-Pacific strategy, and naval development.

INS Vikrant stands as a testament to India’s commitment to becoming a global maritime power. For UPSC and IAS aspirants, it exemplifies themes of strategic autonomy, technological innovation, and national pride. Its induction signals not only naval strength but also India’s determination to chart its path as a self-reliant and resilient global power.

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