News Analysis India

Tag: Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

  • Navy has second thoughts on acquiring Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has decided to forgo its plan to have the bigger Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2) and is pushing for the repeat order of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) inducted recently as Indian Naval Ship Vikrant.

    Addressing media persons ahead of Indian Navy Day 2022 in New Delhi, Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said: “As far as IAC-2 is concerned, we are still working on various aspects such as its size and the capabilities desired. Right now we have put on hold the order since we had only recently commissioned Vikrant. We are very happy with the ship, and the way it performed in the trials. A lot of expertise has been gained in building IAC-1 in the Cochin shipyard. A lot of ancillary industries have come up which is Atma Nirbhar in full bloom.“

    “We are also examining if we should repeat order an IAC-1 instead of going for an IAC-2 to capitalize on the expertise available in the country. This is now in the discussion stage and we have not firmed up our mind nor have we taken it to the Government.”

    ALSO READ | Integration of aircraft with INS Vikrant likely by May-June next year: Navy chief

    Sources in the Indian Navy had said: “The idea of junking off the IAC2 project is basically due to the funding constraint. It would have required over Rs 50,000 crore for life cycle cost for around 40 years.”

    The Indian Navy has been pushing for a third aircraft carrier, weighing 65,000 tons with a nuclear-propulsion system. The IAC2 would have been able to house around 55 aircraft, including 35 fixed-wing combat aircraft and 20 rotary-wing aircraft.

    An aircraft carrier, the officer asserted, adds to the surge capability as the fighter jets operating from land will always have their limitations.

    As reported earlier by The New Indian Express, the officials had said, given the Chinese belligerence in the Indian Ocean, the country will have to extend air power into far-off areas like the Malacca Strait on one side and the Gulf of Aden on the other.

    “Concentration of force is a principle of war. If you have two operationally ready carriers, you can be active in two areas. If needed, you can move it, bringing a different environment to the battle.”

    The IAC-2 would have been equipped with a catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) aircraft launch system. CATOBAR is a system used for the launch and recovery of aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier. It enhances the aircraft’s payload capacity.

    Currently, the Indian Navy has two aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant in its inventory. But, INS Vikrant is yet to get operationalized in the waters.

    Both the carriers are short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) designs, using an angled bow/ski-jump to provide additional lift for embarked aircraft on take-off.

    As per the officials, the push for having three aircraft carriers has been with the aim that “You need to have two aircraft carriers in operation while another one in maintenance.”, it suits the operational requirements given the situation with China and Pakistan.

    Admiral Hari Kumar, speaking on eight former Indian Navy officials detained in Qatar, said, “This has been taken up with all agencies involved and at the highest leadership in the country. There is a continuous effort and we are hopeful that it will be resolved.”

    ALSO READ | INS Vikrant fine but what about China?: Owaisi asks PM Modi

    Indian Navy has been always working towards being a gender-neutral force and, the Chief informed, that a total of 3,000 Agniveers have joined the Sailor’s training facility at INS Chilka in November, out of which 341 are women. Adding further, CNS also announced that from next year women officers will be inducted across all branches.

    Speaking on the presence of Chinese ships, research vessels and fishing ships in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) he said that there are about 4-6 Navy ships, then some research vessels and also fishing vessels as also around 60 odd ships of extra-regional forces. “We always keep an eye and ensure that they do not undertake any inimical activities.”

    The process of acquiring the 30 high altitudes, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is going on. “It is at a stage where we are discussing the rationalisation of the numbers. The Indian Navy is currently operating with two HALE UAS on lease and “their performance is quite good.”

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has decided to forgo its plan to have the bigger Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2) and is pushing for the repeat order of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) inducted recently as Indian Naval Ship Vikrant.

    Addressing media persons ahead of Indian Navy Day 2022 in New Delhi, Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said: “As far as IAC-2 is concerned, we are still working on various aspects such as its size and the capabilities desired. Right now we have put on hold the order since we had only recently commissioned Vikrant. We are very happy with the ship, and the way it performed in the trials. A lot of expertise has been gained in building IAC-1 in the Cochin shipyard. A lot of ancillary industries have come up which is Atma Nirbhar in full bloom.“

    “We are also examining if we should repeat order an IAC-1 instead of going for an IAC-2 to capitalize on the expertise available in the country. This is now in the discussion stage and we have not firmed up our mind nor have we taken it to the Government.”

    ALSO READ | Integration of aircraft with INS Vikrant likely by May-June next year: Navy chief

    Sources in the Indian Navy had said: “The idea of junking off the IAC2 project is basically due to the funding constraint. It would have required over Rs 50,000 crore for life cycle cost for around 40 years.”

    The Indian Navy has been pushing for a third aircraft carrier, weighing 65,000 tons with a nuclear-propulsion system. The IAC2 would have been able to house around 55 aircraft, including 35 fixed-wing combat aircraft and 20 rotary-wing aircraft.

    An aircraft carrier, the officer asserted, adds to the surge capability as the fighter jets operating from land will always have their limitations.

    As reported earlier by The New Indian Express, the officials had said, given the Chinese belligerence in the Indian Ocean, the country will have to extend air power into far-off areas like the Malacca Strait on one side and the Gulf of Aden on the other.

    “Concentration of force is a principle of war. If you have two operationally ready carriers, you can be active in two areas. If needed, you can move it, bringing a different environment to the battle.”

    The IAC-2 would have been equipped with a catapult-assisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) aircraft launch system. CATOBAR is a system used for the launch and recovery of aircraft from the deck of an aircraft carrier. It enhances the aircraft’s payload capacity.

    Currently, the Indian Navy has two aircraft carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant in its inventory. But, INS Vikrant is yet to get operationalized in the waters.

    Both the carriers are short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) designs, using an angled bow/ski-jump to provide additional lift for embarked aircraft on take-off.

    As per the officials, the push for having three aircraft carriers has been with the aim that “You need to have two aircraft carriers in operation while another one in maintenance.”, it suits the operational requirements given the situation with China and Pakistan.

    Admiral Hari Kumar, speaking on eight former Indian Navy officials detained in Qatar, said, “This has been taken up with all agencies involved and at the highest leadership in the country. There is a continuous effort and we are hopeful that it will be resolved.”

    ALSO READ | INS Vikrant fine but what about China?: Owaisi asks PM Modi

    Indian Navy has been always working towards being a gender-neutral force and, the Chief informed, that a total of 3,000 Agniveers have joined the Sailor’s training facility at INS Chilka in November, out of which 341 are women. Adding further, CNS also announced that from next year women officers will be inducted across all branches.

    Speaking on the presence of Chinese ships, research vessels and fishing ships in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) he said that there are about 4-6 Navy ships, then some research vessels and also fishing vessels as also around 60 odd ships of extra-regional forces. “We always keep an eye and ensure that they do not undertake any inimical activities.”

    The process of acquiring the 30 high altitudes, long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is going on. “It is at a stage where we are discussing the rationalisation of the numbers. The Indian Navy is currently operating with two HALE UAS on lease and “their performance is quite good.”

  • INS Vikrant a collective effort of all govts since 1999, will PM acknowledge it, asks Congress

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking credit for the commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and accused him of “hypocrisy” for not recognising the contributions made by earlier governments.

    Congress general secretary communications Jairam Ramesh also shared a video of former defence minister A K Antony launching INS Vikrant in August 2013 and said it just happens that the Modi government is in power when the aircraft carrier is being commissioned.

    “The Modi government has nothing to do with this. The Modi government just happens to be in power when it is being commissioned. In fact, INS Vikrant was launched years ago by Mr A K Antony when he was the defence minister. It has taken 22 years to design, manufacture, test, launch and finally be commissioned today. All that the Modi government has done is commissioning of the vessel and he is taking credit for it,” Ramesh told PTI.

    “So this is hypocrisy, which is typical of the current Prime Minister,” he said, adding that the credit goes to earlier governments, the credit goes to the Indian Navy and scientists, the engineers and the workers in the shipyard.

    “It is an achievement that will add to the country’s strength. It is very typical of Mr Modi not to recognise the contributions made by earlier governments, of which he is the beneficiary,” the senior Congress leader added.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi unveils Indian Navy’s new ensign inspired by Chatrapati Shivaji, sheds colonial legacy

    Sharing a video of A K Antony’s speech, Ramesh also tweeted, “then defence minister AK Antony launched India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on 12.08.2013. The PM commissioned it today. A self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) India existed before 2014. All other Prime Ministers would have acknowledged continuity in governance. India’s 1st indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant commissioned today is a collective effort of all governments since 1999. Will PM acknowledge?” he tweeted while noting that we should also recall the original INS Vikrant that served us well in the 1971 war and that the much-reviled Krishna Menon played a key role in getting it from the UK.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s maiden indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Friday, placing the country into a select league of countries with the domestic capability to develop such large vessels.

    Ramesh said this is a tribute to the Indian Navy’s engineers, officers and the workers of Cochin Shipyard where this aircraft was manufactured.

    “One of the problems in Mr Modi is that he does not recognise continuity in governance and that there was India before 2014. Self-reliance in defence production was established by Mr Krishna Menon when he was the defence minister of India in 1957 and Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister. It is the same self-reliant, Atmanirbhar defence production capability that Mr Modi’s government is privatising. There are several defence public sector units that have given India atmanirbharta in defence production,” he said.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi commissions India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

    Modi unveiled a plaque to mark the induction of INS Vikrant, named after its predecessor that played a crucial role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, into the Navy.

    With Vikrant’s induction, India has joined a select club of nations such as the US, the UK, Russia, China and France in having niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.

    The 262 m long and 62 m wide carrier displaces approximately 43000 T when fully loaded, having a maximum designed speed of 28 knots with an endurance of 7500 NM.

    Built at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore, it has state-of-the-art features and can operate an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, besides the domestically manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).

    “Today, India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with new confidence,” Modi said while addressing a large gathering ahead of the commissioning ceremony in Kochi.

    Modi also said the warship was a testimony to Indian skills and talent.

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking credit for the commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and accused him of “hypocrisy” for not recognising the contributions made by earlier governments.

    Congress general secretary communications Jairam Ramesh also shared a video of former defence minister A K Antony launching INS Vikrant in August 2013 and said it just happens that the Modi government is in power when the aircraft carrier is being commissioned.

    “The Modi government has nothing to do with this. The Modi government just happens to be in power when it is being commissioned. In fact, INS Vikrant was launched years ago by Mr A K Antony when he was the defence minister. It has taken 22 years to design, manufacture, test, launch and finally be commissioned today. All that the Modi government has done is commissioning of the vessel and he is taking credit for it,” Ramesh told PTI.

    “So this is hypocrisy, which is typical of the current Prime Minister,” he said, adding that the credit goes to earlier governments, the credit goes to the Indian Navy and scientists, the engineers and the workers in the shipyard.

    “It is an achievement that will add to the country’s strength. It is very typical of Mr Modi not to recognise the contributions made by earlier governments, of which he is the beneficiary,” the senior Congress leader added.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi unveils Indian Navy’s new ensign inspired by Chatrapati Shivaji, sheds colonial legacy

    Sharing a video of A K Antony’s speech, Ramesh also tweeted, “then defence minister AK Antony launched India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on 12.08.2013. The PM commissioned it today. A self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) India existed before 2014. All other Prime Ministers would have acknowledged continuity in governance. India’s 1st indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant commissioned today is a collective effort of all governments since 1999. Will PM acknowledge?” he tweeted while noting that we should also recall the original INS Vikrant that served us well in the 1971 war and that the much-reviled Krishna Menon played a key role in getting it from the UK.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s maiden indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Friday, placing the country into a select league of countries with the domestic capability to develop such large vessels.

    Ramesh said this is a tribute to the Indian Navy’s engineers, officers and the workers of Cochin Shipyard where this aircraft was manufactured.

    “One of the problems in Mr Modi is that he does not recognise continuity in governance and that there was India before 2014. Self-reliance in defence production was established by Mr Krishna Menon when he was the defence minister of India in 1957 and Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister. It is the same self-reliant, Atmanirbhar defence production capability that Mr Modi’s government is privatising. There are several defence public sector units that have given India atmanirbharta in defence production,” he said.

    ALSO READ | PM Modi commissions India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

    Modi unveiled a plaque to mark the induction of INS Vikrant, named after its predecessor that played a crucial role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, into the Navy.

    With Vikrant’s induction, India has joined a select club of nations such as the US, the UK, Russia, China and France in having niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.

    The 262 m long and 62 m wide carrier displaces approximately 43000 T when fully loaded, having a maximum designed speed of 28 knots with an endurance of 7500 NM.

    Built at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore, it has state-of-the-art features and can operate an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, besides the domestically manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).

    “Today, India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with new confidence,” Modi said while addressing a large gathering ahead of the commissioning ceremony in Kochi.

    Modi also said the warship was a testimony to Indian skills and talent.

  • Inside Vikrant, India’s airbase on high seas

    Express News Service

    KOCHI:  It  is a floating  city and, once operational, it will be the mainstay of India’s maritime defence. INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, is indeed a game changer. Ten days ahead of its induction, the Indian Navy and the Cochin Shipyard facilitated TNIE an opportunity to experience the jaw-dropping facilities and amazing technologies onboard the aircraft carrier.

    “The indigenous aircraft carrier provides an airfield in the sea, facilitating to extend our air power beyond natural barriers,” said Lieutenant Commander Chaitanya Malhotra leading us through its meandering alleys and the maze of steel cabins.

    The flight deck of INS Vikrant has an area equal to two and a half hockey fields which roughly translates into 12,500 sq m. There is a short runway and a long runway equipped with a ski-jump.

    A red line demarcates the operational area and the technical area. Six helicopters and 12 fighter jets can be parked on the deck and the aircraft will be latched to hold it during rough weather. There are two elevators to move the jets into the hanger located below the deck.

    “The long, flat deck facilitates short takeoff and arrested landing of aircraft. There is a set of 3 arrester wires for recovery of landing jets onboard,” said fighter jet pilot Lieutenant Skanda. Below deck on the carrier is a maze of cabins and corridors that descend 10 levels, leading to a miniature city that includes a hospital, a canteen with a modern kitchen, recreation facility, fitness centre, living quarters, fire station, laundry, a desalination plant and RO plant to provide drinking water.

    Vikrant has a damage control headquarters that receives signals from 3,000 fire sensors and 700 flood sensors. “The monitoring system has been developed by BHEL and it will alert us in case of a fire or flooding,” said Lieutenant Commander Akhil who heads the wing.

    INS VikrantThere is an integrated platform management system which can start and stop any equipment onboard, including power generation and propulsion.

     “The ship has a complex optical cable network which is 2,600km long. The platform gives us the facility to switch on the engine which is located 100m away, from the bridge itself. The ship produces 4 lakh litres of fresh water from the RO plant. The power generated by the ship can light up a small town,” said Malhotra.

    The flight deck has 270 lights that guide fighter jets and helicopters during night landing. It is powered by a 380 watt system.

    The 64 slice CT scan facility onboard INS VikrantThe medical complex is spread over 45 compartments running through three decks. There are five medical officers and 15 medical sailors. There is a 64-slice CT scan centre, a dental centre, two operation theatres, X-ray, ultra sound scanning facility, laboratory, blood transfusion and physiotherapy department.

    “There is a 16-bed ward and we have an anesthetist and a surgeon,” he said. Though the officers were vociferous about the general features of Vikrant, they were tight-lipped on the weaponry.

    Features

    INS Vikrant is named after illustrious predecessor which played a vital role in the 1971 war

    Cost:  Rs 23,000 croreLength: 262 mWidth: 62 metreHeight 59 metreDisplacement: 45,000 tonnesPower: 88 MWEngine: 4 gas turbinesCabling: 2,600 kmFloors: 14Hospital: 16 bedsOperation theatres: 2Compartments: 2,300

    Special cabins for women officersCapacity: 1,750 sailorsFlight deckParking for 6 helicopters and 12 fighter jets270 lights for night landing

    Speed factorTop speed: 28 knotsCruising speed: 18 knotsEndurance: 7,500 nautical miles.

    Can operate 30 aircraftMIG 29K, LCA Navy, Kamov 31MH-60R multirole helicoptersAdvanced Light Helicopters

    Warship grade steel produced through partnership between Navy, DRDO and Steel Authority of India21,500 tonnes of special grade steel used for construction

    Sea trials: August 2021-July 2022

    Dates to rememberKeel laid: February 2009Launched: August 2013Indigenous content: 76%

    KOCHI:  It  is a floating  city and, once operational, it will be the mainstay of India’s maritime defence. INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, is indeed a game changer. Ten days ahead of its induction, the Indian Navy and the Cochin Shipyard facilitated TNIE an opportunity to experience the jaw-dropping facilities and amazing technologies onboard the aircraft carrier.

    “The indigenous aircraft carrier provides an airfield in the sea, facilitating to extend our air power beyond natural barriers,” said Lieutenant Commander Chaitanya Malhotra leading us through its meandering alleys and the maze of steel cabins.

    The flight deck of INS Vikrant has an area equal to two and a half hockey fields which roughly translates into 12,500 sq m. There is a short runway and a long runway equipped with a ski-jump.

    A red line demarcates the operational area and the technical area. Six helicopters and 12 fighter jets can be parked on the deck and the aircraft will be latched to hold it during rough weather. There are two elevators to move the jets into the hanger located below the deck.

    “The long, flat deck facilitates short takeoff and arrested landing of aircraft. There is a set of 3 arrester wires for recovery of landing jets onboard,” said fighter jet pilot Lieutenant Skanda. Below deck on the carrier is a maze of cabins and corridors that descend 10 levels, leading to a miniature city that includes a hospital, a canteen with a modern kitchen, recreation facility, fitness centre, living quarters, fire station, laundry, a desalination plant and RO plant to provide drinking water.

    Vikrant has a damage control headquarters that receives signals from 3,000 fire sensors and 700 flood sensors. “The monitoring system has been developed by BHEL and it will alert us in case of a fire or flooding,” said Lieutenant Commander Akhil who heads the wing.

    INS VikrantThere is an integrated platform management system which can start and stop any equipment onboard, including power generation and propulsion.

     “The ship has a complex optical cable network which is 2,600km long. The platform gives us the facility to switch on the engine which is located 100m away, from the bridge itself. The ship produces 4 lakh litres of fresh water from the RO plant. The power generated by the ship can light up a small town,” said Malhotra.

    The flight deck has 270 lights that guide fighter jets and helicopters during night landing. It is powered by a 380 watt system.

    The 64 slice CT scan facility on
    board INS VikrantThe medical complex is spread over 45 compartments running through three decks. There are five medical officers and 15 medical sailors. There is a 64-slice CT scan centre, a dental centre, two operation theatres, X-ray, ultra sound scanning facility, laboratory, blood transfusion and physiotherapy department.

    “There is a 16-bed ward and we have an anesthetist and a surgeon,” he said. Though the officers were vociferous about the general features of Vikrant, they were tight-lipped on the weaponry.

    Features

    INS Vikrant is named after illustrious predecessor which played a vital role in the 1971 war

    Cost:  Rs 23,000 crore
    Length: 262 m
    Width: 62 metre
    Height 59 metre
    Displacement: 45,000 tonnes
    Power: 88 MW
    Engine: 4 gas turbines
    Cabling: 2,600 km
    Floors: 14
    Hospital: 16 beds
    Operation theatres: 2
    Compartments: 2,300

    Special cabins for women officers
    Capacity: 1,750 sailors
    Flight deck
    Parking for 6 helicopters and 12 fighter jets
    270 lights for night landing

    Speed factor
    Top speed: 28 knots
    Cruising speed: 18 knots
    Endurance: 7,500 nautical miles.

    Can operate 30 aircraft
    MIG 29K, LCA Navy, Kamov 31
    MH-60R multirole helicopters
    Advanced Light Helicopters

    Warship grade steel produced through partnership between Navy, DRDO and Steel Authority of India
    21,500 tonnes of special grade steel used for construction

    Sea trials: August 2021-July 2022

    Dates to remember
    Keel laid: February 2009
    Launched: August 2013
    Indigenous content: 76%

  • Inside Vikrant, India’s first indigenous airbase on high seas

    Express News Service

    KOCHI:  It is a floating city and, once operational, it will be the mainstay of India’s maritime defence. INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, is indeed a game changer. Ten days ahead of its induction, the Indian Navy and the Cochin Shipyard facilitated TNIE an opportunity to experience the jaw-dropping facilities and amazing technologies onboard the aircraft carrier.

    “The indigenous aircraft carrier provides an airfield in the sea, facilitating to extend our air power beyond natural barriers,” said Lieutenant Commander Chaitanya Malhotra leading us through its meandering alleys and the maze of steel cabins.

    The flight deck of INS Vikrant has an area equal to two and a half hockey fields which roughly translates into 12,500 sq m. There is a short runway and a long runway equipped with a ski-jump.

    A red line demarcates the operational area and the technical area. Six helicopters and 12 fighter jets can be parked on the deck and the aircraft will be latched to hold it during rough weather. There are two elevators to move the jets into the hanger located below the deck.

    “The long, flat deck facilitates short takeoff and arrested landing of aircraft. There is a set of 3 arrester wires for recovery of landing jets onboard,” said Lieutenant Skanda.

    Below deck on the carrier is a maze of cabins and corridors that descend 10 levels, leading to a miniature city that includes a hospital, a canteen with a modern kitchen, recreation facility, fitness centre, living quarters, fire station, laundry, a desalination plant and RO plant to provide drinking water.

    Vikrant has a damage control headquarters that receives signals from 3,000 fire sensors and 700 flood sensors.

    “The monitoring system has been developed by BHEL and it will alert us in case of a fire or flooding,” said Lieutenant Commander Akhil who heads the wing.

    INS VikrantThere is an integrated platform management system which can start and stop any equipment onboard, including power generation and propulsion.

     “The ship has a complex optical cable network which is 2,600km long. The platform gives us the facility to switch on the engine which is located 100m away, from the bridge itself. The ship produces 4 lakh litres of fresh water from the RO plant. The power generated by the ship can light up a small town,” said Malhotra.

    The flight deck has 270 lights that guide fighter jets and helicopters during the night landings. It is powered by a 380-watt system.

    The 64-slice CT scan facility onboard INS VikrantThe medical complex is spread over 45 compartments running through three decks. There are five medical officers and 15 medical sailors. There is a 64-slice CT scan centre, a dental centre, two operation theatres, X-ray, ultrasound scanning facility, laboratory, blood transfusion and physiotherapy department.

    “There is a 16-bed ward and we have an anaesthetist and a surgeon,” he said.

    Though the officers were vociferous about its general features of Vikrant, they were tight-lipped on the weaponry.

    Features

    INS Vikrant is named after its illustrious predecessor which played a vital role in the 1971 war.

    Special cabins for women officers

    Speed factor

    Top speed: 28 knots.

    Cruising speed: 18 knots.

    Endurance: 7,500 nautical miles.

    Can operate 30 aircraft.

    MIG 29K, LCA Navy, Kamov 31.

    MH-60R multirole helicopters.

    Advanced Light Helicopters.

    Warship-grade steel is produced through a partnership between the Navy, DRDO and Steel Authority of India.

    21,500 tonnes of special grade steel used for construction.

    Sea trials: August 2021-July 2022.

    Dates to remember

    KOCHI:  It is a floating city and, once operational, it will be the mainstay of India’s maritime defence. INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, is indeed a game changer. Ten days ahead of its induction, the Indian Navy and the Cochin Shipyard facilitated TNIE an opportunity to experience the jaw-dropping facilities and amazing technologies onboard the aircraft carrier.

    “The indigenous aircraft carrier provides an airfield in the sea, facilitating to extend our air power beyond natural barriers,” said Lieutenant Commander Chaitanya Malhotra leading us through its meandering alleys and the maze of steel cabins.

    The flight deck of INS Vikrant has an area equal to two and a half hockey fields which roughly translates into 12,500 sq m. There is a short runway and a long runway equipped with a ski-jump.

    A red line demarcates the operational area and the technical area. Six helicopters and 12 fighter jets can be parked on the deck and the aircraft will be latched to hold it during rough weather. There are two elevators to move the jets into the hanger located below the deck.

    “The long, flat deck facilitates short takeoff and arrested landing of aircraft. There is a set of 3 arrester wires for recovery of landing jets onboard,” said Lieutenant Skanda.

    Below deck on the carrier is a maze of cabins and corridors that descend 10 levels, leading to a miniature city that includes a hospital, a canteen with a modern kitchen, recreation facility, fitness centre, living quarters, fire station, laundry, a desalination plant and RO plant to provide drinking water.

    Vikrant has a damage control headquarters that receives signals from 3,000 fire sensors and 700 flood sensors.

    “The monitoring system has been developed by BHEL and it will alert us in case of a fire or flooding,” said Lieutenant Commander Akhil who heads the wing.

    INS VikrantThere is an integrated platform management system which can start and stop any equipment onboard, including power generation and propulsion.

     “The ship has a complex optical cable network which is 2,600km long. The platform gives us the facility to switch on the engine which is located 100m away, from the bridge itself. The ship produces 4 lakh litres of fresh water from the RO plant. The power generated by the ship can light up a small town,” said Malhotra.

    The flight deck has 270 lights that guide fighter jets and helicopters during the night landings. It is powered by a 380-watt system.

    The 64-slice CT scan facility on
    board INS VikrantThe medical complex is spread over 45 compartments running through three decks. There are five medical officers and 15 medical sailors. There is a 64-slice CT scan centre, a dental centre, two operation theatres, X-ray, ultrasound scanning facility, laboratory, blood transfusion and physiotherapy department.

    “There is a 16-bed ward and we have an anaesthetist and a surgeon,” he said.

    Though the officers were vociferous about its general features of Vikrant, they were tight-lipped on the weaponry.

    Features

    INS Vikrant is named after its illustrious predecessor which played a vital role in the 1971 war.

    Cost:  Rs 20,000 crore.

    Length: 262 m.

    Width: 62 metre.

    Height 59 metre.

    Displacement: 45,000 tonnes.

    Power: 88 MW.

    Engine: 4 gas turbines.

    Cabling: 2,600 km.

    Floors: 14.

    Hospital: 16 beds.

    Operation theatres: 2.

    Compartments: 2,300.

    Special cabins for women officers

    Capacity: 1,750 sailors.

    Flight deck.

    Parking for 6 helicopters and 12 fighter jets.

    270 lights for night landing.

    Speed factor

    Top speed: 28 knots.

    Cruising speed: 18 knots.

    Endurance: 7,500 nautical miles.

    Can operate 30 aircraft.

    MIG 29K, LCA Navy, Kamov 31.

    MH-60R multirole helicopters.

    Advanced Light Helicopters.

    Warship-grade steel is produced through a partnership between the Navy, DRDO and Steel Authority of India.

    21,500 tonnes of special grade steel used for construction.

    Sea trials: August 2021-July 2022.

    Dates to remember

    Keel laid: February 2009.

    Launched: August 2013.

    Indigenous content: 76%.

  • Indigenous Aircraft Carrier’s fourth phase sea trials successfully completed

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Moving ahead towards the commissioning of the ambitious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), the fourth phase of Sea Trials for IAC was successfully completed on Sunday.

    The Indian Navy in its statement said, “During the sea Trials integrated trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the Aviation Facilities Complex equipment were undertaken.”

    The ship’s delivery is being targeted at the end of July 22, followed by commissioning of the ship in August 2022.  

    The ship has been designed indigenously and is being constructed by the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited with more than 76% indigenous content, the navy added.

    “This has led to growth in indigenous design and construction capabilities, besides development of a large number of ancillary industries, with employment opportunities for over 2000 CSL personnel and about 12000 employees in ancillary industries.” The Navy said.

    Maiden Sea Trials of IAC were successfully completed in August 2021. This was followed by second and third phases of Sea Trials on Oct 21 and Jan 22 respectively.  During these three phases of Sea Trials, endurance testing of propulsion machinery, electrical and electronic suites, deck machinery, life saving appliances, ship’s Navigation and Communication systems was undertaken.

    As reported earlier, INS Vikrant will be weighing around 40,000 tonnes and its fighters will operate on Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mechanism similar to the present carrier INS Vikramaditya with an angular ski-jump. Helicopters will also be part of its aviation complement.

    Indian Navy plans to operate three carrier battle groups (CBG) with one each on the Eastern and Western Sea boards and third one under maintenance (refit/repair).

  • IAC ‘Vikrant’ returns after successfully completing five-day maiden sea voyage

    By Express News Service

    KOCHI: Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ on Sunday successfully completed its maiden sea voyage for which she had sailed on Wednesday from Kochi.  

    “Trials progressed as planned and system parameters proved satisfactory. The carrier would continue to undergo series of sea trials to prove all equipment and systems prior to handing over the vessel to the Indian Navy,” an official statement by the Southern Naval Command said here.

    Trials were reviewed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command on the last day, and have progressed as planned and system parameters have been proved satisfactory. 

    “The successful completion of maiden trials sorties, despite challenges faced due to Covid19 pandemic and COVID protocols in place, is testimony to the dedicated efforts of large number of stakeholders for over a decade. This is a major milestone activity and historical event. The carrier would undergo a series of Sea Trials to prove all equipment and systems prior to its delivery in 2022,” it said.

    Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) was built at the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping (MoS). 

    Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ successfully accomplished maiden sea voyage today.Trials progressed as planned.A true testimony by #IndianNavy towards #AtmanirbharBharat & #MakeinIndia initiative (1/n).@cslcochin @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @shipmin_india pic.twitter.com/ytV8IpW7ui
    — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 8, 2021
    Madhu S Nair, the chairman and managing director of CSL said the maiden sea trial of the vessel was a complete success. “We have tested all the parameters set for the trial. Our focus is on completion of the rest of the sea trials and delivering the vessel to the Indian Navy next year,” Nair said, adding that the maiden sea trial will be a “mammoth confidence booster” to the entire team.

    The South Naval Command said IAC is a leading example of the nation’s quest for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ and the Indian Navy’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, with more than 76% indigenous content.  

    The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is 262 m long, 62 m at the widest part and a height of 59 m including the superstructure. There are 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure. The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, having gender-sensitive accommodation spaces for women officers.  The ship with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

    During the maiden sailing, the ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, Power Generation and Distribution (PGD) and auxiliary equipment were tested.

    Delivery of Vikrant is being targeted to coincide with celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.   

    With the delivery of IAC, India would join a select group of nations with the capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier and provides thrust to Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Delivery of IAC would also strengthen India’s position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its quest for a blue water Navy.

  • IAC Vikrant successfully completes five-day maiden sea voyage

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant on Sunday successfully completed a five-day maiden sea voyage as the performance of the key systems of the 40,000-tonne warship was found to be satisfactory, officials said.

    The aircraft carrier, built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore, set sail on Wednesday for the crucial sea trials ahead of its planned induction into the Indian Navy by August next year.

    “Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ successfully accomplished its maiden sea voyage today. Trials progressed as planned and system parameters proved satisfactory,” Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

    Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ successfully accomplished maiden sea voyage today.Trials progressed as planned.A true testimony by #IndianNavy towards #AtmanirbharBharat & #MakeinIndia initiative (1/n).@cslcochin @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @shipmin_india pic.twitter.com/ytV8IpW7ui
    — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 8, 2021
    He said the ship’s performance, including of the hull, main propulsion, power generation and distribution (PGD) and auxiliary equipment were tested during the sea trials.

    “Trials, which were reviewed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command on the last day, have progressed as planned and system parameters have been proved satisfactory,” Commander Madhwal said.

    The delivery of Vikrant is being targeted to coincide with celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, he said.

    The warship will operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters.

    It has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.

    The aircraft carrier set off on its maiden sea trials, 50 years after its namesake played a major role in the 1971 war.

    “The ship with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft,” the Navy spokesperson said.

    Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles.

    The IAC is 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and it has a height of 59 metres.

    Its construction began in 2009.

    Commander Madhwal said that the successful completion of the maiden trials, despite challenges faced due to the coronavirus pandemic, is a testimony to the dedicated efforts of a large number of stakeholders.

    “This is a major milestone activity and historical event.

    The carrier would undergo a series of sea trials prior to its delivery in 2022,” he said.

    Around 550 Indian firms including about 100 MSMEs are registered with the Cochin Shipyard Limited(CSL) and they provided various services for the construction of the IAC, India currently has only one aircraft carrier — INS Vikramaditya.

    The Indian Navy has been focusing on significantly bolstering its overall capabilities in view of China’s growing efforts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

    The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to the country’s strategic interests.

  • India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier will be commissioned next year: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI
    KOCHI: India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) will be commissioned next year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Friday.

    In a statement to the media after reviewing the progress made in the construction of the IAC, Singh described it as India’s pride and a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

    “Commissioning of this IAC next year would be a befitting tribute to India’s 75th year of India’s independence”, he said.

    Singh visited the IAC being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited here.

  • Sea-trials of ambitious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier delayed

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The Indian initiative to sail out Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-I) is delayed further. While the Basin trials completed on 30th November last year the sea trials were initially planned in the first half of this year. The initial deadline to deliver IAC-1, to be Commissioned as INS Vikrant, the carrier was in 2018. 

    Confirming the status a source said, “Sea trials were expected to be completed early this year but Covid restrictions led to delay in various activities which could have been completed during this period.”

    Covid restrictions not only stopped the travel of Indian personnel associated with the project but also in multiple cases the personnel of the Original Equipment Manufacturers from other countries were either quarantined or not able to travel. In several tests the presence of OEM representatives is a must, added the sources.

    Talking about the tentative time, “Sea trials are expected post monsoon and the preparations for it are almost complete.” The source added. The monsoons are generally expected to last till September.

    Sea trials is generally the last phase of trials which takes place in the open sea where all the stakeholders test the efficacy of the overall ship. Basin trials are conducted for proving of the propulsion, transmission and shafting systems.

    India is one of the few countries which has capability to manufacture own aircraft carrier.  But, Chinese are frantically increasing maritime power with theri first home built aircraft carrier commissioned in 2019 and they plan to have three carriers by 2025.

    Cochin Shipyard is manufacturing INS Vikrant which is planned to be 260 meters long with displacement of 37,500-tonnes. The aircraft carrier will be able to accommodate up to 30 fighters and helicopters and will be compatible with Mig-29K and LCA Navy fighter jets and Ka-31 helicopters.

    Aircraft Carriers are the floating air bases which extend the combat capability of the owning country. India at present has INS Vikramaditya as the only aircraft carrier. Indian Navy has been vehemently pushing for three aircraft carriers so that India  has at least one aircraft carrier operational for both east and west seaboards while the third aircraft carrier goes for maintenance and repair.