INS Vikrant: First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

• 26 Jun 2021

Why in News

Recently, India’s Defence Minister reviewed the ongoing work on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), INS Vikrant (IAC-1), which is a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

• INS Vikrant, 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.
  • 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:
  
  • The combat capability, reach and versatility of the aircraft carrier will add formidable capabilities in the defence in the country and help secure India's interests in the maritime domain.
  • 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.
• Current Status of Indian Navy:
  
  • As per the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan, by 2027, India ought to have about 200 ships but there is still a lot to cover to reach the target.
    
    • However, the cause is not mainly funding but procedural delays or some self imposed restrictions.
  • The navy ensures that it has state of the art SONARs and Radars. Also, many of the ships contain a high amount of indigenous content.
• Navy’s Contribution to Fight against Covid-19:
  
  • Operation Samudra Setu-I: Bringing back Indian citizens from overseas amidst coronavirus-induced travel restrictions.
  • Operation Samudra Setu-II: Indian Navy has launched this for shipment of Oxygen-filled containers to India.

Source: TH