In a major boost to the Indian Navy, the country’s maiden indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant (IAC-1) began its long-awaited sea trials earlier today (4 August).
This sea trial of INS Vikrant comes at a very important time as it will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy’s might and an additional aircraft carrier will help India more in the Indian Ocean region.
BREAKING: India's first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant (IAC-1) sails out on maiden sea trials. First video here: pic.twitter.com/G5k0zSrjKk
— Livefist (@livefist) August 4, 2021
The new ship is expected to be commissioned into service of the Eastern Naval Command by mid-2022.
In November 2020, the carrier had completed its basin trial, and integration and testing of a number of other navigational, communication, and operational systems were also undertaken.
The ongoing sea trials of the new carrier are to test the ‘move’ component of the ship to see how the vessel fares in the water and even though due to Covid there were delays if all goes as per the schedule during the trials, the carrier will likely be commissioned by the middle of 2022.
The approximate cost of this ship is Rs 24,000 crore, with a displacement of 40,000 tonnes and it has the capacity to carry as many as 35-40 aircraft on board which will include naval fighter jets (MiG-29K fighter), anti-submarine helicopters, and also naval UAVs.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had stated last month that IAC has nearly 75 per cent indigenous content – from design to steel used in construction to key weapons and sensors in accordance by the Defence Acquisition Council for RFP of Project 75-I under the Strategic Partnership model, which will give further fillip to the indigenous development of niche manufacturing technologies.
Singh said the commissioning of IAC Vikrant would be a befitting tribute to 75 years of India’s independence.
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