INS Vikrant, India's only indigenous aircraft carrier, completed its maiden voyage to Mumbai where it showcased its array of fighter jets and helicopters on its flight deck. The aircraft carrier, which was commissioned in Kochi in September 2022, was built to match the aggressive expansion of China's naval fleet.
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The INS Vikrant hosted Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on board the warship during the four-day visit to India, highlighting the importance of naval cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The visit demonstrated the close relationship between India and Australia.
According to a statement from the commanding officer of the INS Vikrant, Captain Vidyadhar Harke, the construction of the aircraft carrier has been significant for the nation's defense and economic growth. He mentioned that over 500 ancillary units and other industries have benefitted from the construction of the INS Vikrant. Furthermore, he added that the development of new technologies with civilian applications has also been a positive outcome of the warship's construction. "The cables and steel developed for the warship are useful for other infrastructure development," he explained. Captain Harke expressed that India has made tremendous progress since the 1960s, when it was designing small boats. He mentioned that India is now designing and building submarines and aircraft carriers, including the INS Vikrant.
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The INS Vikrant is 262 meters long, displaces 45,000 tonnes, and has a flight deck equivalent to the size of two football fields. Its hangars are twice the size of Olympic pools, and it stands tall at 18 storeys with 14 decks. With over 2,200 compartments, the aircraft carrier has a crew of 1,600.
The INS Vikrant's flight deck was filled with an impressive display of fighter jets and helicopters, including the MiG-29K aircraft, MH-60 Romeo helicopters, Kamov Ka-31 helicopters, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA NAVY), and other light helicopters. The warship's capabilities demonstrated India's commitment to maritime security in the region.
The visit to Mumbai was the first for the INS Vikrant, which was previously a British warship, HMS Hercules, launched in 1945. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1961, the HMS Hercules was decommissioned in 1997, making way for the new made-in-India aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant.
The INS Vikrant's visit to Mumbai underscored the importance of India's growing naval capabilities and its commitment to ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
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