The fourth phase of sea trials of the first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier Vikrant was successfully completed on Sunday. The ship is likely to be inducted into the Navy in August by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With this induction, India will become one of the few countries having the capabilities to design and build its own sophisticated and state-of-the-art aircraft carrier. At present, India has one aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya built by Russia.
Giving details of the ongoing trials, navy officials said here on Sunday, the fourth phase was successfully completed during which integrated trials of majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the aviation facilities complex equipment were undertaken. The ship’s delivery is being targeted in end July followed by commissioning of the ship in August to commemorate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’. The Indigenous design and construction of Aircraft Carrier by Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Ltd is a shining example in the Nation’s quest for ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India Initiative’ with more than 76 per cent indigenous content.
This has led to growth in indigenous design and construction capabilities, besides development of large number of ancillary industries, with employment opportunities for over 2000 Cochin Shipyard Limited(CSL) personnel and about 12,000 employees in ancillary industries, they said. Maiden Sea Trials of the indigenous aircraft carrier were successfully completed in August last year.
This was followed by the second and third phases of the Sea Trials in October last year and January 22 respectively. During these three phases of Sea Trials, endurance testing of propulsion machinery, electrical and electronic suites, deck machinery, lifesaving appliances, ship navigation and communication systems was undertaken. The aircraft carrier weighs about 40,000 tons and is largest and most complex warship to be built in India. The overall cost of ship is more than Rs 23,000 crores. The warship will operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters.