India's first domestically built aircraft carrier is a massive feat of engineering and steel.
In short: INS Vikrant represents a milestone for India, marking the first time the nation designed and constructed its own aircraft carrier. Spanning 262 metres and displacing 45,000 tonnes, this vessel is a complex floating city. It serves as a testament to domestic industrial capability, utilizing entirely Indian-made steel for its massive hull.
The journey of INS Vikrant began in 1999 when the Indian government authorized the construction of an indigenous aircraft carrier under the Project 71 Air Defence Ship program. Originally conceived to replace an aging fleet, the design evolved significantly over two decades. By the time the keel was laid in 2009 at Cochin Shipyard, the project had shifted from a 32,000-tonne design to a much larger vessel. The final ship, commissioned on 2 September 2022, displaces about 45,000 tonnes and features a sophisticated STOBAR configuration, allowing it to support a diverse air group including MiG-29K fighters and various helicopters.
Construction was a monumental collaborative effort involving public and private sectors. Notably, the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory and the Steel Authority of India developed specialized DMR 249 grade steel, making Vikrant the first Indian warship built entirely with domestic steel. The ship's internal complexity is staggering, housing 2,300 compartments, eight kilometres of corridors, and a 16-bed hospital. Its power comes from four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, while its combat management system was developed by Tata Advanced Systems, marking a first for a private company in the Indian Navy.
The project faced notable hurdles, including delays in the delivery of Russian aviation equipment and the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed back initial timelines. Despite these setbacks, the vessel successfully completed rigorous sea trials between 2021 and 2022. Today, it operates as a critical component of India's maritime strategy, designed to protect economic interests and provide humanitarian aid. With its dual-runway flight deck and advanced elevator configuration, Vikrant ensures that flight operations can continue uninterrupted, solidifying India's position as a significant naval power in the Indian Ocean Region.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: INS Vikrant (2013)
- Also: Wikidata — INS Vikrant · CC0
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