INS Vikrant First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Launched Today

12 Aug 2013
Kochi

India launched its first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), to be christened INS Vikrant, at the Cochin Shipyard here on Monday.Defence Minister A K Antony’s wife Elizabeth launched the 37,500-tonne warship. This marks the end of first phase of construction, more than four years after its keel was laid by the Minister.

Apart from Antony, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral D K Joshi witnessed the launch.After the launch, the carrier would be docked at the repair yard for hull construction, which would be completed by June 2014.The ship will undergo extensive sea trials by 2016 ane be inducted into the Navy by the end of 2018.

INS Vikrant can operate 25 to 30 aircraft, including MiG 29K and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The tonnage and complexity of the vessel is very important. It has got a ski-jump from where the aircraft will take off,” Vice Admiral K R Nair, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition told media on the flight deck of the vessel.

The ski-jump was not part of the original first-phase plan, said Commodore K Subramaniam, CMD of the Cochin Shipyard. “Initially we did not plan to have a ski-jump. It was not part of the original first phase plan. Later, the Navy wanted the ski-jump to be fitted. So it was also included,” he said. The super structure’s first tier has been fitted and another four tiers would be ready by 2014, he pointed out.

Source– http://newindianexpress.com/nation/First-indigenous-aircraft-carrier-launched/2013/08/12/article1730212.ece

Found Useful? Do Share: INS Vikrant First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Launched Today: