Indian Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade on Thursday said the commissioning of the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant will help ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
He said INS Vikrant would be inducted into the Navy on September 2 at an event in Kochi, which would also be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Vice Admiral Ghormade said the commissioning of the aircraft carrier would be an “unforgettable” day as it would significantly enhance the country’s overall maritime capabilities.
Asked whether the Indian Navy is looking to build a second aircraft carrier, he said discussions are on this.
On INS Vikrant, he said its commissioning would be a historic occasion and also a symbol of “national integration” as its constituents come from a large number of states and union territories.
Built at a cost of around Rs 20,000 crore, the aircraft carrier completed the fourth and final phase of sea trials last month. With the creation of ‘Vikrant’, India has joined a select group of nations that have the unique capability to design and build an aircraft carrier indigenously.
The ship has over 2,300 compartments designed for a crew of approximately 1700 people, including special cabins to accommodate women officers.
The Vikrant has a cruising speed of 18 knots with a top speed of about 28 knots and an endurance of about 7,500 knots.
The aircraft carrier is 262 meters long, 62 meters wide and 59 meters in height. Its construction started in 2009.
The Navy said the ship is powered by four gas turbines totalling 88 MW and has a maximum speed of 28 knots.
The project has been implemented under three phases of a contract between the Ministry of Defense and Cochin Shipyard Limited since May 2007. The keel of the ship was laid in February 2009.
The Navy said the aircraft carrier will be inducted into the force on September 2 and will strengthen India’s position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its quest for a blue water navy.
