New Delhi: The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Vikrant has successfully completed the fourth phase of sea trials during which trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard were undertaken. The trials took place on July 11 ahead of its scheduled commissioning into the Indian Navy on August 15.
IAC Vikrant has been designed by the Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design (DND), and has been built at the state-owned Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The construction of the aircraft carrier began in 2009.
The IAC has an indigenous content of 76%. It is 262 metres long, has a beam of 62 metres and a height of 59 metres. It has 14 decks, including five in the superstructure, 2,300 compartments, and can accommodate a crew of 1,700, including specialised cabins for women officers.
Vikrant will be the fourth aircraft carrier to be operated by the Indian Navy – first Vikrant (British origin) from 1961 to 1997, INS Viraat (British origin) from 1987 to 2016 and INS Vikramaditya (Russian origin) from 2013 onwards.
Besides India, five other Global Powers – the US, the UK, Russia, France and China – have the capability to build aircraft carriers.
The Aircraft Carrier will operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters and the indigenous advanced light helicopters. It has been named after the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant operated by the navy from 1961 to 1997. India currently operates a solitary aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. It was bought second-hand from Russia for $2.33 billion.
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