Vinay Express News, New Delhi. Addressing an event at the naval dockyard in Mumbai, the Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh said that the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant will be commissioned by August 2022.
The Naval Chief was speaking at an event where INS Vela, the fourth Scorpene-class submarine was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
“We recently conducted a successful sea trial of INS Vikrant. We should be able to commission INS Vikrant by August 2022,” said the Indian Navy Chief.
The role of INS Vela
Asserting about the crucial role of INS Vela, he said that the fourth Scorpene-class submarine, will play an imperative role in enhancing the Indian Navy’s ability to protect the nation’s maritime interests.
Speaking about the P-75 project, Karambir Singh said that it represents the growing strategic congruence between India and France.
“Today’s commissioning marks another high point in this enduring partnership. We crossed the halfway mark of Project 75,” he said.
INS Vikrant: India’s First Indigenous Aircraft
Designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design(DND), Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ is a shining example of the nation’s quest towards self-reliance as the carrier is made with more than 76% indigenous content.
The Made-in-India Aircraft Carrier is 262 m long, 62 m at the Widest part and height of 59 m including the superstructure. The indigenous ship has 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure.
Designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operation, the ship can top a speed of around 28 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles. Further, the ship is designed for a crew of around 1700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.
With the delivery of IAC Vikrant, India would join an exclusive club of select group of nations with the capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier, which will be a real testimony to the ‘Make-in-India’ thrust of the Indian Government.
Author: विनय थानवी
