The first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant, under construction at Cochin Shipyard, will cross a major milestone on August 12 when it is launched into sea there. Thereafter, phase two of building superstructure including runways for aircraft and other major works will start and the ship is likely to join service in 2018.
Vikrant, named after India’s first aircraft carrier which was decommissioned in 1995, will be launched by Defence Minister AK Antony’s wife Elizabeth. India will thus join the elite club of US, UK, France and Russia which build aircraft carriers weighing over 40,000 tons.
Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral RK Dhowan on Thursday said, at present, the shipyard has completed construction of nearly 18,000 tons and remaining work including erection of island superstructure like runway, compartments and fitment of weapons will take place in repair dock of the shipyard. The keel of ship was laid in February, 2009.
The major outfitting work is expected to be over by 2016 and then the Navy will carry out extensive sea trials before finally inducting it into service by the end of 2018, he said.
All major pre-launch equipment such as propulsion gas turbines, reduction gearboxes, diesel alternators and other auxiliary machinery is already lowered into the ship for installation, he maintained adding the main hull of the ship along with the ski-jump for launching aircraft is also complete.
Complementing SAIl for supplying high quality steel for building the ship and its hull, he said the aircraft carrier will have a complement of 25 to 30 aircraft and helicopters including MIG-29 K fighter jets, Kamov anti-submarine helicopters besides advanced light helicopters and naval version of light combat aircraft.(lCA).
The ship is 260 metres long, 60 metres wide and can attain maximum speed of 28 to 30 knots. It will have two take off runways and a landing strip with three arrester wires for aircraft operations.
When asked about the quantum of indigenisation, Dhowan said the float section including outer structure, fabrication, hull and flight deck is 90 per cent indigenous, move section including propulsion is 50 to 60 per cent and fight section comprising weapons and sensors is 30 per cent indiegenous.
With the induction of Vikrant, India will have three aircraft carriers including Gorshkov which is expected to join service in December this year and INS Viraat, he said adding the Navy will then review the feasibility of operating Viraat as it has completed more than 30 years of operational life.