A Symbol of India’s Maritime Self-Reliance and Strength
Introduction:
INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). It is the largest warship ever constructed in India, which was commissioned on 2 September 2022.
Historical Legacy and Technical Specifications:
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- The new INS Vikrant revives the legacy of INS Vikrant (R11), which served with distinction during the 1961 Goa Liberation and 1971 Indo-Pak War.
- Construction Timeline:
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- Keel laid: February 2009
- Launch: August 2013
- Sea trials: August 2021
- Commissioned: September 2022 at Kochi
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- Indigenous Strength:
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- 76% made in India; warship steel developed jointly by Navy + DRDO + SAIL.
- Integrated efforts of BEL, BHEL, GRSE, L&T, Keltron, Kirloskar, Wärtsilä India and MSMEs.
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- Employment impact: Over 14,000 jobs created directly and indirectly.
- Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Length / Width | 262.5 m / 61.6 m |
| Displacement | ~45,000 tonnes |
| Powerplant | 4 gas turbines = 88 MW |
| Speed | Up to 28 knots |
| Crew Capacity | ~1,600 personnel (incl. women officers) |
| Aviation Capacity | 30 aircraft (STOBAR system with ski-jump take-off) |
| Power Output | Equivalent to 5,000 homes |
| Internal Wiring | Stretching from Kochi to Kashi in length |
Milestones & Achievements
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- Sea Trials (Aug 2021): Validated propulsion, navigation, and weapons systems.
- First Aircraft Landings (Feb 2023): Successful LCA (Navy) and MiG-29K operations.
- Night Landings (May 2023): Demonstrated high operational readiness.
- Full Operational Clearance (2024): Over 750 flight hours of day & night sorties.
- Multilateral Exercise MILAN 2024: Hosted 36 ships, 2 submarines, 55 aircraft from 47 nations.
- Exercise Varuna 2025: Bilateral ops with France’s Charles de Gaulle carrier group.
- TROPEX 2025: Participated in India’s largest maritime exercise with 150+ platforms.
- HADR Operation (March 2025): Conducted emergency MEDEVAC of MV Heilan Star crew.
- Operation Sindoor: Led Indian Navy’s deterrent deployment in northern Arabian Sea.
- PM Day at Sea (Oct 2025): Hon’ble PM celebrated Diwali onboard, marking solidarity with forces.
INS Vikrant service Beyond Combat
INS Vikrant plays a pivotal role in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR):
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- Serves as a mobile command centre, floating hospital, and supply hub during crises.
- Power systems can sustain emergency relief in remote coastal zones.
- Reinforces India’s SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region), enhancing its reputation as the Preferred Security Partner and First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
Strengthening Indian Maritime: Since 2014, Indian shipyards have delivered 40+ indigenous warships and submarines, with new platforms commissioned every 40 days. INS Vikrant exemplifies India’s success in developing indigenous warship-grade steel and complex shipbuilding infrastructure. As of December 2024:
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- 133 ships and submarines commissioned in India.
- 63 of 64 new warships under construction are indigenous.
On April 2025, India signed a ₹63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale-Marine jets. Includes pilot training, simulators, weapons, and long-term maintenance. It will equip both INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, enhancing air combat capabilities. Plans for a second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC II) and INS Vikrant’s permanent berthing at Visakhapatnam show India’s continued commitment to maritime self-reliance and regional security.
Conclusion:
INS Vikrant is more than a warship & it stands as a symbol of confidence, ensuring that India’s blue waters remain secure, sovereign, and self-reliant.
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