INS Vikrant News Updates: PM commissions India's 1st indigenous aircraft carrier

"In the past, security concerns in the Indo-pacific region and the Indian Ocean have been ignored for a long time. But, today we are focusing on this sector," says PM Modi. 

Addressing the commissioning ceremony at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala, PM Modi said, "INS Vikrant is not just a warship. It is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence, and commitment of 21st-century India. It is an example of the government's thrust to make India's defence sector self-reliant."

"From the seashores of Kerala, every Indian is a witness today to the sunrise of a new future. This ceremony on INS Vikrant is a call for the strengthening morale of India on a global horizon," said PM Modi. "Today India has joined those countries in the world, which can manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has created a new confidence in the country," he added. 

"Indian Navy is always ready as the first responder to national and international level of crises. With the commissioning of INS Vikrant, the capability of the Indian Navy will be further strengthened," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. "Atma Nirbhar Bharat is not an isolated policy. The Commission of the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant proves this," he added. 

PM Modi unveils the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, and other dignitaries are present on the occassion.

While the commissioning will take place today, INS Vikrant will not be a deployable platform that can be used in battle for at least the next 15 months. During this period, Vikrant will act like a giant floating air deck without ‘teeth’.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi posted a video about INS Vikrant which will be dedicated to the nation by PM Modi. 

The Defence Ministry posted a video of INS Vikrant, the largest and most complex warship ever built in the maritime history of India. It has been named after India’s first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war. 

• 9:30 AM - PM to arrive at Cochin Shipyard, Kochi
• 9:54 AM - PM Modi to address the naval event
• 10:33 AM - PM to unveil name plaque of IAC Vikant

Aircraft carriers are one of the nation's biggest marine assets and an intrinsic part of any blue water navy. Such warships allow the Navy to move far from its base country to carry out domination exercises in other nations or areas. 

With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will have two operational aircraft carriers, which will bolster the maritime security of the nation. 

The commission is also significant internationally as it adds India will join an elite group of nations with the ability to manufacture indigenous aircraft carriers.  It also gives India the ability to project its power overseas.

The commissioning of INS Vikrant will mark a significant step for the Narendra Modi government's pitch for Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), especially in strategic sectors.

At 262 metres long and 62 metres wide, INS Vikrant is the largest warship to be constructed in India.

It has the capacity to operate 30 aircraft and helicopters. MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters will initially be deployed on the carrier.

With 2,300 compartments, the warship can accommodate a crew of nearly 1,600. 

The flight deck is about the size of two football grounds and one will cover eight kilometres just by walking through its corridors,

The carrier is equipped with ski-jumps to launch aircraft and has a series of 'arrest wires' for their recovery onboard.

The eight power generators onboard IAC Vikrant can light up the whole of Kochi city.

The ship boasts of a full-fledged state-of-the-art medical complex with the latest medical equipment facilities.

These include major modular OT, emergency modular OT, physiotherapy clinic, ICU, laboratories, CT scanner, X-Ray machines, dental complex, isolation ward and telemedicine facilities, etc.

Vikrant has a full displacement of about 45,000 tonnes, which is much larger and more advanced than its predecessor.

"With the commissioning of 'Vikrant', India would join a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier, which will be a real testimony to the Make in India thrust of Government of India," a Defence statement has said.

Countries that can design and manufacture aircraft carriers above 40,000 tonnes include the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, France, and now India.

INS Vikrant has been built using indigenous equipment and machinery supplied by India's major industrial houses as well as over 100 MSMEs. With this, India will have two operational aircraft carriers, which will bolster the maritime security of the nation.

Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), the Indian Navy's in-house organisation, and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the indigenous aircraft carrier is named after her illustrious predecessor, India's first aircraft carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war.

Vikrant meaning victorious and gallant, the foundation for IAC was established in April 2005 by ceremonial Steel Cutting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission the first indigenous aircraft carrier-- INS Vikrant-- the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India and houses state-of-the-art automation features at Cochin Shipyard Limited here on Friday.

During the event, the Prime Minister will also unveil the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.

The commissioning of Vikrant will mark a significant step toward India's self-reliance in the defence sector, a Defence spokesman has said. "It is a shining beacon of Atma Nirbharta in the defence sector," he said.