The carrier that had to sail just to prove it could

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1971, the Indian Navy faced a desperate dilemma: their primary aircraft carrier was physically failing. To avoid being labeled a 'white elephant' and ending naval aviation's credibility, the ship had to be deployed at war—even if its mechanical limitations meant it could barely move.

The INS Vikrant began as HMS Hercules, a British Majestic-class light fleet carrier ordered in 1942. After World War II ended and the Royal Navy deemed it surplus to requirements, India purchased the incomplete hull in 1957. Construction was finished in 1961, making it India's first aircraft carrier. While it served effectively during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, its journey to that point was marked by significant mechanical adversity.

By June 1970, the ship suffered from severe internal fatigue cracks and fissures in its boiler water drums. Because replacement parts were unavailable locally, the Navy had to restrict the boilers to a pressure of only 400 pounds per square inch. This severely capped the ship's speed at 14 knots (26 km/h). Despite these limitations, Naval Headquarters insisted on its participation in the 1971 conflict because they feared that if the carrier sat idle while other ships fought, naval aviation would be 'written off.'

The risks were immense. To counter Pakistani submarines like the US-built Tench-class PNS Ghazi, the Vikrant had to operate with a screen of escort ships remaining within 5–10 miles of the carrier at all times. Furthermore, because the ship's speed was so restricted, pilots faced the harrowing task of landing Alizé aircraft at speeds near their stalling point. To make this possible, crews had to reduce aircraft weight to ensure they could land safely on a vessel that was essentially operating under emergency mechanical constraints.

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