New Delhi: Chief of Indian Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar on Saturday said that the commissioning of INS Vikrant is a landmark event for the nation and Navy. He also said that it is a torch-bearer of atmanirbharta.


“Commissioning of INS Vikrant is a landmark event for the nation & Navy and it's indeed a torch-bearer of atmanirbharta. There are very few countries that have the capability to make an aircraft carrier & we now form one of the elite or select bands,” news agency ANI quoted R Hari Kumar.


Hailing INS Vikrant, Kumar further said that it is a shining symbol of our indigenous capability. It has contributed to enhancing the stature of the nation in the world, he added.






“It inspires self-confidence among us & it's a shining symbol of our indigenous capability. It has contributed to enhancing the stature of the nation in the world. I'm sure Vikrant will proudly fly the Tiranga across the wide reaches of Indo-Pacific in years to come,” ANI quoted the Navy Chief.


Earlier in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited here in Kochi -- a significant step of the Central government towards self-reliance in the defence sector.
While commissioning INS Vikrant, the Prime Minister termed the event a "tribute" to India's rising spirits on the world horizon.


"Today, here on the coast of Kerala, every Indian is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. This event held on INS Vikrant is a tribute to India's rising spirits on the world horizon," the Prime Minister said. "Vikrant is huge and special. Vikrant is not just a warship. This is a testimony to the hard work, talent, influence, and commitment of 21st century India."


Designed by the Indian Navy's in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Vikrant has been built with state-of-the-art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India.


The indigenous aircraft carrier is named after her illustrious predecessor, India's first aircraft carrier which had played a vital role in the 1971 war. It has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country as well as over 100 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).


With the commissioning of INS Vikrant, India now has two operational aircraft carriers bolstering the maritime security of the nation.
INS Vikrant, built at a cost of around Rs 20,000 crore, successfully completed its fourth and final phase of the sea trials last month. With the construction of 'Vikrant', India has joined a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.


The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.


(With ANI Inputs)