INS Vikrant, India's First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, Will Be Commissioned Today

Today is a very important day for the Indian Navy. Because it is going to get the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and will also get freedom from the traces of the British era. Prime Minister of the country Narendra Modi will dedicate INS Vikrant to the country. Built at the Cochin Shipyard, the construction of this aircraft carrier has cost Rs 20,000 crore. The official induction of this ship will double the strength of the Navy. Whereas, Modi will also unveil a new insignia of the Navy during the event. It will leave behind the colonial past and become a symbol of the rich Indian maritime heritage.

The new design of the Navy consists of a white flag with two red stripes horizontally and vertically.  Also, the national emblem of India (Ashoka Pillar) is inscribed at the meeting point of both the strips. The current flag of the Indian Navy has St George's Cross with the tricolor in the upper left corner. The Indian Navy came into existence only during the British period. On October 2, 1934, the naval service was renamed the Royal Indian Navy. With India becoming a republic on January 26, 1950, the Royal was decommissioned and renamed the Indian Navy. Whereas, the colonial flag of Britain was not removed. Now PM Modi will give a new flag to the Indian Navy.

Vikrant, along with INS Vikramaditya, will serve as the Navy's second aircraft carrier once it is commissioned. Government approval for a third indigenous aircraft carrier is still awaiting. The creation of the indigenous Vikrant took 13 years. The aircraft carrier's keel was laid in 2009, and it was launched in August of the same year. Sea trials in five phases got underway in August 2021.

The Vikrant can carry approximately 30 aircraft and a crew of about 1,600 people. Its displacement is 42,800 tonnes. The Vikrant has a maximum range of 7,500 nautical miles and can travel at a maximum speed of 28 knots.

The combat management system, electronic warfare suite, data network, and integrated platform management system are just a few examples of the 76% indigenous content found in The Vikrant.