INS Vikrant: India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

An aircraft carrier is often described as a “floating airfield,” a majestic and powerful warship with a full-length flight deck. These massive vessels can launch and recover military aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters, making them essential tools for power projection, sea control, and maritime diplomacy.

India’s INS Vikrant (IAC-1) marks a historic milestone as the first indigenously built aircraft carrier, positioning India among a select group of nations with the capability to design and manufacture such complex platforms. It is the largest warship ever built in the country and a key embodiment of the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative.

What is an Aircraft Carrier?

An aircraft carrier is the capital ship of a naval fleet, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. It provides the capability to project airpower without dependence on local bases. These vessels play a dominant role in asserting control over large oceanic areas and serve as floating military bases capable of conducting a wide range of operations.

INS Vikrant (IAC-1): An Indigenous Marvel

Design and Construction

INS Vikrant was designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi. The ship is classified as a Vikrant-class aircraft carrier, and is the first in its class.

• Deck Area: 12,500 square meters
• Indigenous Content: 75% overall (90% of the hull, 50% propulsion, 30% weapons systems)

Engineering and Systems

• Propulsion: 4 General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines generating 110,000 HP (88 MW)
• Combat Management System (CMS): Developed by Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division in collaboration with a Russian firm

Dimensions and Capacity

• Length: 262 meters (865 ft)
• Width: 62 meters (203 ft)
• Displacement: Approx. 43,000 tonnes
• Speed: 28 knots
• Range: 7,500 nautical miles (can sail from India to Brazil without refueling)
• Crew Capacity: Approx. 1,600 personnel, with special accommodations for women officers

Infrastructure

• Floors: 18 floors including 14 decks
• Compartments: Around 2,300
• Medical Facilities: 16-bed hospital, 2 operation theatres, ICU, isolation wards
• Food Services: 3 pantries capable of feeding 600 crew members simultaneously

Commissioning and Cost

After years of delays and cost overruns, the INS Vikrant was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 July 2022. It was officially commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 September 2022 in Kochi.

• Project Cost: Estimated at Rs. 20,000 crores
• Project Delay: 12 years; cost escalated 13 times
• Flight Trials: Expected to be completed by mid-2023

Operational History of INS Vikrant (R11)

India’s original INS Vikrant (R11), commissioned in 1961, was a Majestic-class aircraft carrier initially built for the Royal Navy as HMS Hercules.

Role in 1965 and 1971 Wars

• 1965 War: Undergoing refurbishment, unable to participate directly
• 1971 Indo-Pak War: Played a pivotal role, launching airstrikes, enforcing a naval blockade, and assisting in the creation of Bangladesh

Later Years and Decommissioning

• Refits: Underwent modernizations between 1991–1994
• Decommissioned: 1997
• Museum Ship: 2001–2012 in Mumbai
• Scrapping: Auctioned in 2013, scrapped in November 2014

Legacy

• Vikrant Memorial: Established at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard on 25 January 2016, constructed from its steel

Significance of INS Vikrant (IAC-1) for India

Maritime Security and Diplomacy

• Enhances India’s ability to project power in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Strengthens maritime diplomacy and disaster response capabilities

Strategic Importance

• Contributes to India’s ambition of being a Blue Water Navy
• Acts as a deterrent in strategic chokepoints and sea lanes

Indigenization and National Pride

• Symbolizes India’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing
• Honors the legacy of the original INS Vikrant (R11)

Dual Use Capabilities

• Military Roles: Defense, air superiority, naval operations
• Non-Military Roles: Humanitarian aid, disaster relief, evacuations