Vikrant, the largest warship to be built at home, was handed by The Cochin Shipyard Ltd. to the Indian Naval Forces. It’s induction will be taking service next month.
The aircraft carrier has been built at a cost of almost Rs. 20,000 crore, and with his services to the Indian Navy, it will certainly boost the country’s naval structure and horizon. The warship was delivered after rigorous user acceptance trials, carried out between August 2021 and July 2022.
“With the delivery of Vikrant, India has joined a select group of nations having the niche capability to design and build an aircraft carrier,” said the Navy in a statement.
Moreover, countries like United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France and China only have the capability to build aircraft carriers, India now certainly joins the league. The 262 metre long vessel has a full displacement of 45,000 tonne.
It has been named after the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, operated by the navy in 1961-1997.
“Perfect example of the nation’s quest for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and provides thrust to the government’s Make in India initiative,” the navy added in the statement.
The design has been made by the Directorate of Naval Design, it has 14 decks, including five in the superstructure, 2,300 compartments, and can accommodate a crew of 1,700, with specialised cabins for women.
Vikrant will be the fourth aircraft carrier to be operated by the Indian Navy.
