Kochi, August 4 (UNI): Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ sailed for her maiden sea trials on Wednesday.
This also happens to be the 50th year of the carrier’s illustrious predecessor’s key role in the victory during the 1971 war.
“Proud & historic day for India as the reincarnated #Vikrant sails for her maiden sea trials today, in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessor’s key role in victory in the #1971war Largest & most complex warship ever to be designed & built in India. Many more will follow,” said a tweet by a Navy Spokesperson.
“IAC has been designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation & survivability. During the maiden sailing, ship’s performance, incl hull, main propulsion, PGD & auxiliary eqpt would be closely watched,” the spokesperson added.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted, “The commencement of sea trials of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC(P71)) ‘Vikrant’. The Indigenous construction of Aircraft Carrier is a shining example in the Nation’s quest for ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India Initiative’.”
In a tweet, Defence PRO Kochi said, “#TheGameChanger: #Vikrant IAC dedicated to all the martyrs of #1971War #India part of elite group of countries that make & operate their own #AircraftCarrier Old warships never die..they are reborn in another avatar….And reborn she has..”
“Over 76% #indigenous content towards procurement of eqpt, besides work by CSL & their subcontractors is being directly invested back into #Indian economy. Approx 550 Indian firms incl about 100 MSMEs registered with CSL, providing various services for constn of IAC,” the navy spokesperson tweeted.
‘Vikrant’ is designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping (MoS).
The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is 262 m long, 62 m at the widest part and height of 59 m including the superstructure. There are 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure.
The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.
The ship has been designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, ‘Vikrant’ has a top speed of around 28 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles. The ship can accommodate an assortment of fixed wing and rotary aircraft.
Though the commencement of Sea Trials was delayed due to the second wave of Covid-19, with concentrated and dedicated efforts of large number of workmen, OEMs, engineers, overseers, inspectors, designers and the ship’s crew, who had put their heart and soul towards the ship’s readiness for sea trials.
