India on Monday entered the elite group of nations manufacturing giant aircraft carriers when the indigenously manufactured INS Vikrant was launched into the sea. US, UK, France and Russia are the other nations who build these ships.
The ship will now be outfitted with weapons, cabling for weapons and other systems measuring more than 2,700 km (distance between Kochi and Delhi) and other complex machinery. This phase is likely to be over by 2016. The 40,000-ton ship is likely to be commissioned into the Navy by 2018 after extensive sea trials.
The public sector Cochin Shipyard limited is manufacturing this ship and amid chanting of hymns from the Atharva Veda, Vikrant was launched by Defence Minister AK Antony’s wife Elizabeth in a colourful ceremony attended by Minister for Shipping GK Vasan and Navy chief Admiral DK Joshi.
The ship has attained its designed length of about 260 metres and is almost at its maximum breadth of 60 metres. The main landing airstrip besides the ski-jump take off ramp for the plane is also ready. Over 80 per cent of the structure, containing about 2,300 compartments is fabricated and all the major machinery, such as the two lM2500 Gas Turbines developing a total power of 80 MW, the diesel alternators capable of producing about 24 MW and the main gear box have been fitted.
Once complete, the ship will operate more than 20 aircraft including MIG-29 K fighter jets, naval version of light combat aircraft (lCA), advanced light helicopters and Kamov anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
Describing the occasion as a ‘momentous’ one, Antony said, “Today’s launching of the indigenous aircraft carrier marks just the first step in a long journey, but at the same time, an important one.”
With the induction of Vikrant in next few years, India will have three aircraft carriers including Gorshkov which is expected to join service in December this year and INS Viraat. The Navy will review the feasibility of operating Viraat after induction of indigenous aircraft carrier as Viraat has completed more than 30 years of operational life.