Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) – INS Vikrant – returns to Kochi after successful maiden sea voyage

INS Vikrant is 76 per cent indigenous, but will be delayed until 2022, as its "aviation complex" remains to be supplied from Russia 

By Ajai Shukla

India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1), INS Vikrant, successfully completed its maiden sea voyage on August 8, for which she had sailed out to sea on August 4 from Kochi.

 

The navy stated in a press release on Sunday: “During the maiden sailing, the ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, power generation and distribution (PGD) and auxiliary equipment were tested… Trials progressed as planned and system parameters proved satisfactory.”

 

The carrier is still incomplete in several respects, notably in its “aviation complex”, which has the job of controlling the activities of aircraft stationed on the ship. That is expected to take another year, after which INS Vikrant will be commissioned into the Indian Navy.

 

“The carrier would undergo a series of sea trials to prove all equipment and systems prior to its delivery in 2022,” stated the navy.

 

The last day of sea trials was reviewed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command.

 

“The successful completion of maiden trials sorties, despite challenges faced due to Covid-19 pandemic and Covid protocols in place, is testimony to the dedicated efforts of large number of stakeholders for over a decade,” said the navy, in a tip-of-the-hat to the numerous workers who played roles in building this giant, 40,000-tonne vessel.

 

INS Vikrant has been designed by the navy's Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping. 

 

“IAC-1 is a leading example of the nation’s quest for Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and the navy’s Make in India initiative, with more than 76% indigenous content,” stated the navy’s press release.

 

INS Vikrant is 262 metres long, 62 metres at the widest part and has a height of 59 metres, including the superstructure. It has 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure. The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, with gender-sensitive accommodation spaces for women officers.

 

The ship with high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, has been designed to accommodate about a squadron of MiG-29K fighter aircraft and an assortment of helicopters. These will include the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk and the Kamov-31.

 

“With the final delivery of INS Vikrant, India will join a select group of eight nations with the capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier… Delivery of IAC-1 would also strengthen India’s position in the Indian Ocean Region and its quest for a blue water navy,” said the MoD.