The Indian Government Information Bureau (PIB) announced on the same day that the Indian Navy’s first self-designed and built aircraft carrier, the future INS Vikrant, has successfully completed a five-day maiden voyage on August 8.
“Trial [of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-1 (IAC-1) Vikrant] It has proceeded as planned and the system parameters have proven to be satisfactory,” PIB said.
It added: “Despite the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 agreement, the first sea trial was successfully completed, which proves the unremitting efforts of a large number of stakeholders for more than a decade.”
The Navy stated in a separate statement that IAC Vikrant’s sea trials in the Arabian Sea, including the performance of its hull, propulsion, power generation and distribution systems, and auxiliary equipment, were “satisfactory.”
The 40,000-ton, 262.5-meter-long IAC-1 Vikrant was designed by the Indian Navy and Naval Design Bureau (DND) and built by the state-owned Cochin Shipyard Co., Ltd. (CSL). The aircraft carrier is designed to perform short takeoff but stranded recovery (STOBAR) aircraft operations and will conduct further sea trials in the coming months to verify its onboard equipment and systems before being delivered to the Navy.
According to PIB, the standard range of the aircraft carrier is approximately 7,500 nautical miles, and its cruise and sprint speeds are 18 knots and 28 knots, respectively. It will be operated by a crew of approximately 1,700 personnel.
The Navy also stated that the IAC-1 Vikrant was initially expected to be delivered in the first half of 2022, but the delivery now coincides with India’s 75th anniversary of Independence Day on August 15, 2022.
IAC-1 Vikrant had earlier set off from Kochi Port on August 4 to begin its maiden voyage test. It was launched for the first time in August 2013 and completed the port and basin test in December 2020, at least 6 years later than the original plan.
The aircraft carrier will operate MiG-29K multi-purpose naval aircraft, Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopter, MH-60R naval helicopter, and locally developed advanced light helicopters.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused further delays in the commissioning of Vikrant, and the Ministry of Defense now says that the ship will be put into service in the first half of next year.
PIB stated that once fully operational, the aircraft carrier and its carrier wings will enhance the Navy’s ability to project air power at long distances.
Xiao Wu
