India's First Indigenously Built Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant Joins Naval Fleet | In PICS

The carrier is touted as the largest ship ever built in India's maritime history, complete with state-of-the-art facilities.

India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday commissioned India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant into Indian Navy. The image shows PM Modi inspecting a Guard of Honour during the commissioning ceremony. (Image: PTI)

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval and Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral SN Ghormade during the commissioning ceremony of the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi. (Image: PTI)

The carrier is touted as the largest ship ever built in India's maritime history, complete with state-of-the-art facilities. The image shows family members of Indian Navy personnel pose for photos with a Kamov-31 helicopter parked at the flight deck. (Image: PTI)

INS Vikrant is named after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier that played a vital role in the 1971 war. With this feat, India joins select group of nations such as the US, the UK, Russia, China and France who have the capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier. (Image: PTI)

"Today, India joins the countries that build such large aircraft carriers with indigenous technology. Today, INS Vikrant has filled India with new trust...On this historic occasion, I express gratitude to Indian Navy, all engineers, scientists & workers of Cochin Shipyard," PM Modi said. (Image: PTI)

Addressing a gathering in Kochi ahead of the commissioning of INS Vikrant, PM Modi said: "Vikrant is large and grand, Vikrant is distinct, Vikrant is special. Vikrant is not just a warship, it is the evidence of the hardwork, talent, impact and commitment of India of the 21st century." (Image: PTI)