INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier begins maiden sea trials

INS Vikrant: India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant began its much-awaited maiden sea trials on August 4, 2021. INS Vikrant is the largest and most complex warship built in the country.

INS Vikrant's sea trials have brought India into the league of select nations that have the capability of indigenously designing and building a  state-of-the-art aircraft carrier. 

The maiden sea trials of the 40,000-tonne aircraft carrier have begun 50 years after its namesake played a major role in the 1971 war. The aircraft carrier was built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore.

#WATCH Indian Navy’s future aircraft carrier 'Vikrant' at sea on the first day of its sailing near Kochi. The warship is being built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited and would be commissioned into service after extensive trials pic.twitter.com/3Ps0bkNII9

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2021

INS Vikrant, also known as IAC-1, is expected to be commissioned in the Indian Navy by 2022.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, "Maiden sea sortie of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, ‘Vikrant’ is a true testimony to our unwavering commitment to Atmanirbharta. Realisation of this historic milestone, regardless of COVID, shows true dedication& commitment of all stakeholders."

Maiden sea sortie of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, ‘Vikrant’ is a true testimony to our unwavering commitment to Atmanirbharta. Realisation of this historic milestone, regardless of COVID, shows true dedication& commitment of all stakeholders, tweets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pic.twitter.com/aDo7tuNMmV

— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 'Vikrant', designed by Indian Navy's Design Team and built by @cslcochin, undertook its maiden sea sortie today. A wonderful example of @makeinindia. Congratulations to @indiannavy  and @cslcochin on this historic milestone."

The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 'Vikrant', designed by Indian Navy's Design Team and built by @cslcochin, undertook its maiden sea sortie today. A wonderful example of @makeinindia. Congratulations to @indiannavy and @cslcochin on this historic milestone. pic.twitter.com/AjnafkxOaT

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 4, 2021

Defence Minister reviews construction of INS Vikrant

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 25, 2021 reviewed the progress of the construction of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1) INS Vikrant at the Cochin Shipyard, Kochi, Kerala.

The Minister said, “The IAC-1 boasts of nearly 75 per cent indigenous content. This includes the design, the steel used in the construction and key weapons, and sensors.”

The combat capability, versatility, and reach of the IAC-1 will add formidable capabilities in the country’s defence, Singh added. The Defence Minister described the aircraft as India’s pride and an example of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Reviewed first-hand the ongoing work on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, which is India's pride and a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The IAC has made significant progress.
Commissioning of the IAC next year will be a befitting tribute to 75 years of India's independence. pic.twitter.com/N9542pJneq

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 25, 2021

When is INS Vikrant expected to be commissioned?

•India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1) INS Vikrant is expected to be commissioned by 2022 as a tribute to the country’s 75 years of Independence.

INS Vikrant: Background

•INS Vikrant also referred to as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) is an aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. The aircraft carrier is being built at the Cochin Shipyard, Kochi, Kerala.

•INS Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier that is being built in India. The name Vikrant means ‘courageous’ and its motto is Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprdhah that has been borrowed from Rigveda 1.8.3.

•The aircraft carrier is 262 metres long and 62 metres wide. It displaces approximately 40,000 metric tonnes.

•Work on Vikrant’s design began in 1999 and its foundation was laid in 2009. The aircraft was floated in the dry basins in December 2011 and launched on August 12, 2013.

•The aircraft carrier completed its basin trials in December 2020 and expected to begin its sea trials by end of 2021.

•The aircraft carrier is expected to be commissioned by the Indian Navy by 2022. Initially, IAC-1 was to be commissioned in 2018.

Modernization of Indian Navy

•44 warships are being constructed at Indian shipyards which are a testimony to the country’s way forward to modernization and harnessing the capabilities of the country’s indigenous industry, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

•“The Defence Acquisitions Committee (DAC) has also recently accorded approval for a request for Proposal of Project 75-I under the Strategic Partnership model,” Singh added. This will further boost the indigenous development of niche manufacturing technologies.

•The modernization measures are aimed at enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational reach and protect India’s maritime interests.

Visited Karwar Naval Base today to review the progress of ongoing infrastructure development under ‘Project Seabird’. I am confident that after the completion of this project, the Karwar Naval Base would become Asia's largest and most efficient Naval base. pic.twitter.com/8z6QcST4QM

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 24, 2021

•During his visit to Karnataka’s Karwar on June 24, 2021, to review the Indian Navy’s Project Seabird, he said, Karwar Naval base will be Asia's biggest Naval Base of the Indian Navy.