New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission the nation’s first Indigenously built Aircraft Carrier Vikrant on September 2 into the Indian Navy. With IAC Vikrant being ready for commissioning, India has joined the select group of nations including the US, UK, Russia, China, and France that have the niche capability to design and manufacture aircraft carriers above 40,000 tonnes, officials said addressing a curtain raiser media briefing over the issue.
The Navy said that the Indigenous design and construction of Aircraft Carrier by the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Ltd is an example of the nation’s quest for the Make in India Initiative with more than 76% indigenous content. The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant has 2200 compartments including separate accommodation for women officers and female Agniveer sailors, Commodore Thapar said. Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade said that the entire cabling of the IAC has been built in the country and the warship steel has also been made in India with the help of DRDO and SAIL which is a big achievement.
He said that India can export it to other countries as well. He said that the equipment of the warship have been made in 18 states and union territories including Kota, Ambala, Daman, Kolka ta, Jalandhar, Pune, and New Delhi The fourth phase of sea trials for IAC Vikrant was successfully completed in July during which integrated trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the Aviation Facilities Com plex equipment were undertaken. Maiden Sea Trials of IAC were successfully completed in August 2021.
This was followed by the second and third phases of Sea Trials in October 2021 and January 2022 respectively. During these three phases of Sea Trials, endurance testing of propulsion machinery, electrical and electronic suites, deck machinery, lifesaving appliances, and ship’s Navigation, and Communication systems was undertaken.
The warship is made of a large number of indigenous materials such as steel, other equipment, and systems which are manufactured by Indian industrial houses and about 100 MSMEs with an overall project cost of Rs 19341 crore. The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is 262 meters long, 62 meters at the widest part, and a height of 59 meters including the superstructure. There are 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure.
