News Highlights
The fourth phase of Sea Trials for INS Vikrant was successfully completed on 10 Jul 22, during which integrated trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the Aviation Facilities Complex equipment were undertaken.
INS Vikrant IAC-1
- INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1, is an aircraft carrier constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy.
- It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India.
- It is named ‘Vikrant’ as a tribute to India’s first aircraft carrier, Vikrant.
- Designed by: Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND)
- Built at: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping.
- Speed: Propelled by four gas turbines, it can attain a top speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles
- The IAC-1, the biggest warship made indigenously, has an overall length of 263 m and a breadth of 63 m.
- It is capable of carrying 30 assorted aircraft including combat jets and helicopters.
- The vessel will have a complement of 1,500 personnel.
Significance of IAC 1
- An aircraft carrier is one of a nation’s most powerful marine assets, enhancing a Navy’s ability to travel far from its home shores to carry out air dominance operations.
- Many experts consider having an aircraft carrier as essential to be considered a ‘blue water’ navy — one that has the capacity to project a nation’s strength and power across the high seas.
- An aircraft carrier generally leads as the capital ship of a carrier strike/battle group.
- As the carrier is a valuable and sometimes vulnerable target, it is usually escorted in the group by destroyers, missile cruisers, frigates, submarines, and supply ships.
Pic Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Content Source: PIB