The Indian Navy has taken delivery of the country’s first locally built aircraft carrier, the future INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, on July 28 at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced today.
The current design of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1) was handed over by state-owned CSL following extensive user acceptance trials between August 2021 and July 2022, the MoD said. Hull Laid was published by CSL in February 2009.
The 40,000 ton, 262.5 m long IAC-1 Vikrant was designed by the Indian Navy’s Naval Design Directorate (DND) and built by CSL. The carrier is designed to perform short takeoff but grounded recovery (STOBAR) aircraft operations and will undergo further sea trials in the coming months to validate its onboard equipment and systems before delivery to the Navy.
The carrier is powered by four GE LM2500 gas turbine engines and has a standard range of approximately 7,500 nautical miles. It can reach cruising and sprint speeds of 18 and 28 knots, respectively, and will have a crew of around 1,700.
Its wings can also accommodate up to 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K multirole fighter jets and naval helicopters such as the Kamov-31 and MH-60R. The Navy is evaluating new fixed-wing fighter jets under the Multirole Carrier-Based Fighter (MRCBF) program, and Vikrant could eventually fly a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III or a Dassault Rafale M aircraft.
“As part of the trials, the Indian Navy verified various parameters of the aircraft carrier, including the ship’s propulsion system, aviation facilities, and seaworthiness and maneuverability,” the ministry said.
IAC-1 Vikrant It is expected to be operational by mid-August to coincide with India’s Independence Day celebrations.
Indian Navy currently operates INS VikramadityaAn improved Kyiv-class aircraft carrier commissioned in 2013.
by Jr Ng
