The Vikrant becomes INS Vikrant once commissioned, the first made in India aircraft carrier is going to be commissioned by the prime minister of the country Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard. The largest ship ever built in India’s maritime history
At 43,000 tonnes Vikrant is the largest warship to be built in India at the cost of RS 20,000 crore.For the construction of warship India has joined a select group of nations such as the US, the UK, Russia, China and France, having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.
The warship has been Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), Indian Navy’s in-house organisation and built by public sector undertaking Cochin Shipyard Limited by using indigenous equipment and machinery supplied by India’s major industrial houses as well as over 100 MSMEs.
The 262 metres long and 62 metres wide Vikrant, it would be capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft on board, including MiG-29K fighter jets and helicopters. The aircraft can accommodate a crew of nearly 1,600, in the beginning, will have MiG fighters and some choppers. The Navy is in the process of procuring 26 deck-based aircraft, having narrowed down to some Boeing and Dassault aircraft.
The ship also has a full-fledged medical complex with latest equipment including physiotherapy clinic, ICU, laboratories and isolation ward.Indian Navy sees the new warship as a key addition to its arsenal.
India can now deploy an aircraft carrier on both its eastern and western seaboards and expand its maritime presence.
