PM Modi to commission INS Vikrant on September 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant the largest ship ever built in Indias maritime history on FridayPM Modi will commission the carrier housing stateoftheart automation features and built at a cost of Rs 20000 crore at the Cochin ShipyardDuring the event Modi will also unveil the new Naval Ensign Nishaan doing away with the colonial pastThe Navy had earlier said the new insignia will be befitting the rich Indian maritime heritageINS Vikrant will contribute in ensuring peace and stability in the IndoPacific and Indian Ocean region Vice Chief of Indian Navy Vice Admiral S N Ghormade had said earlierHe said the aircraft landing trials on board INS Vikrant will begin in November and they will be completed by mid2023 adding MiG29K jets will operate from the warship for the first few yearsAlso Read PM Modi condoles Gorbachevs demise hails his contribution to strengthening IndiaRussia tiesThe commissioning of Vikrant is being seen as a significant step towards Indias selfreliance in the defence sectorWith the construction of Vikrant India has joined a select group of nations such as the US the UK Russia China and France having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrierThe warship has been built using indigenous equipment and machinery supplied by Indias major industrial houses as well as over 100 MSMEsWith the commissioning of Vikrant India will have two operational aircraft carriers which will bolster the maritime security of the nationDesigned by the Warship Design Bureau WDB Indian Navys inhouse organisation and built by public sector undertaking Cochin Shipyard Limited the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor Indias first aircraft carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war with PakistanVikrant means victorious and gallant The foundation for IAC was established in April 2005 by ceremonial Steel CuttingThe warship grade steel required for construction of IAC was indigenised through Steel Authority of India Limited SAIL in collaboration with Defence Research amp Development Laboratory DRDL and the Indian Navy The hull fabrication progressed thereafter and the ships keel was laid in February 2009The first phase of ship construction was completed with its successful launch in August 2013The 262 m long and 62 m wide Vikrant displaces approximately 43000 tonnes when fully loaded and has a maximum designed speed of 28 knots with endurance of 7500 nautical milesIt has around 2200 compartments designed for a crew of around 1600 that include specialised cabins to accommodate women officers and sailorsThe ship also has a fullfledged medical complex with latest equipment including physiotherapy clinic ICU laboratories and isolation wardIt would be capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MiG29K fighter jets Kamov31 and MH60R multirole helicopters in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters ALH and Light Combat Aircraft LCAUsing a novel aircraft operation mode known as Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery STOBAR the IAC is equipped with a skijump for launching aircraft It has a set of three arrester wires for their recovery onboardCommissioning of Vikrant would showcase the countrys indigenisation capabilities besides paying tributes to its freedom fighters and soldiers of the 1971 IndoPak war a Defence statement had saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever