Context:
Prime Minister of India celebrated Diwali onboard INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. He lauded the armed forces for valour and success in Operation Sindoor.
About INS Vikrant (IAC-1)
- First indigenously built aircraft carrier of India.
- Symbol of technological self-reliance and naval modernization under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- Named after the historic INS Vikrant that played a key role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
- Officially commissioned on 2 September 2022 by the Prime Minister at Cochin.
- Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) programme.
- Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND).
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 262 m long, 62 m wide, 18 decks high (≈ 2 football fields) |
| Displacement | ~45,000 tonnes — largest warship built in India |
| Aircraft Capacity | 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, future indigenous aircraft |
| Crew & Facilities | 1,600 personnel, 16-bed hospital, 2,400 compartments (functions as “city at sea”) |
| Operational Status | Achieved full operational clearance in 2024; part of Western Naval Command |
| Propulsion | Four gas turbines, speeds up to 28 knots (52 km/h) |
