INS Vikrant: Know Top Features Of India's First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

INS Vikrant: The aircraft carrier, the largest ship ever built in India's maritime history, has state-of-the-art features and has been built at a cost of over Rs 20,000 crore.

The carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

Source : PTI

India will etch its name in an elite club of nations when Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissions the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant on Friday. The carrier, the largest ship ever built in India's maritime history, has state-of-the-art features and has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi at a cost of over Rs 20,000 crore.

The aircraft carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, that played a vital role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

During the event, which will start at 9.30 am, PM Modi will also unveil the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with another colonial baggage.

INS Vikrant: Top 10 Features Of India's First Indigenously-Built Aircraft Carrier

1. The commissioning of INS Vikrant will see India joining a select group of nations such as the US, the UK, Russia, China and France having the capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.
2. INS Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier to be constructed in India and the largest ship to be built in India.
3. The carrier is 262 metres long and 62 metres wide and has a maximum speed of 28 knots.
4. INS Vikrant has a full displacement of about 45,000 tonnes, which is much larger and more advanced than its predecessor.
5. The aircraft carrier has 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,700. It has specialised cabins to accommodate women officers and sailors.
6. Other features on the ship include a full-fledged medical complex with latest equipment, including physiotherapy clinic, ICU, laboratories and isolation ward.
7. INS Vikrant has the capacity to operate 30 aircraft and helicopter. MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters and MH-60R multi-role helicopters will initially be deployed on the carrier.
8. The flight deck of IAC Vikrant is about the size of two football grounds and by walking through its corridors, one will cover eight kilometres.
9. The carrier is equipped with ski-jumps to launch aircraft and has a series of 'arrest wires' for their recovery onboard.
10. The eight power generators onboard IAC are enough to light up Kochi city. The aircraft carrier is powered by four gas turbines with a total power of 88 MW.