INS Vikrant Begins Sea Trials

• 05 Aug 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 1 named INS Vikrant, started sea trials (one of the last phases of trials).

• It is likely to be commissioned in 2022. At present, India has only one aircraft carrier, the Russian-origin INS Vikramaditya.
• Earlier, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved issuance of Request for Proposal (RFP) for six advanced submarines for the Indian Navy under Project-75I.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • The vessel, to be named Vikrant after the decommissioned maiden carrier of the Navy.
    
    • India acquired the Vikrant from the United Kingdom in 1961, and the carrier played a stellar role in the 1971 war with Pakistan that led to the birth of Bangladesh.
  • Over 76% of the material and equipment on board IAC-1 is indigenous.
  • It will have an air component of 30 aircraft, comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 airborne early warning helicopters and the soon-to-be-inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter, besides the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters.
  • It is expected to have a top speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 kmph) and is propelled by four gas turbines. Its endurance is 7,500 nautical miles at 18 knots (32 kmph) speed.
  • The shipborne weapons include Barak LR SAM and AK-630, while it has MFSTAR and RAN-40L 3D radars as sensors. The vessel has a Shakti EW (Electronic Warfare) Suite.
  • It has a pair of runways and a ‘short take off but arrested recovery’ system to control aircraft operations.
• Significance:
  
  • Adds Combat and Sea Control Capability, especially in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • Increased Ability of Air Power: It would offer an incomparable military instrument with its ability to project air power over long distances, including air interdiction, anti-surface warfare, offensive and defensive counter-air, airborne anti-submarine warfare and airborne early warning.
  • Self-Reliance: Only five or six nations currently have the capability of manufacturing an aircraft carrier — India joins this elite club now.
• Future Endeavours:
  
  • Since 2015, the Navy has been seeking approval to build a third aircraft carrier for the country, which, if approved, will become India’s second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2).
  • This proposed carrier, to be named INS Vishal, is intended to be a giant 65,000-tonne vessel, much bigger than IAC-1 and the INS Vikramaditya.

Source: TH