India's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), Vikrant, completed an initial five-day voyage on Sunday when the performance of the 40,000-ton warship's key systems was found to be satisfactory, authorities said. 23,000 crore, sailed Wednesday for crucial sea trials before enrolling in the Indian Navy next August. "The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) '' Vikrant '' successfully made its first sea voyage today. The tests went as planned and the system parameters were satisfactory," said Indian Navy spokesman Commander Vivek Madhwal.
He said the ship's performance, including the hull, main propulsion, power generation and distribution (PGD) and ancillary equipment, was tested during sea trials. "The trials reviewed last day by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, commanding flag officer of Naval Command South, went according to plan and the parameters of the system were found to be satisfactory," said Commander Madhwal. Vikrant's handover is due to coincide with the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Indian independence, "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav," he said. The warship will operate MiG29K fighter jets, Kamov31 helicopters and MH60R multipurpose helicopters. It has more than 2,300 compartments designed for a crew of around 1,700, including special cabins for female officers. , 50 years after its namesake played a major role in the 1971 war.
"The ship, with a high level of automation for machine operation, ship navigation and survivability, was designed to accommodate a wide variety of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft," said the Indian Navy spokesman. Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and one Cruising speed of 18 knots with a range of approximately 7,500 nautical miles.
The IAC is 262 meters long, 62 meters wide and 59 meters high. Construction began in 2009 Commander Madhwal said the successful completion of the opening attempts despite the challenges posed by the Covid19 pandemic a testament to the dedicated effort is from a wide range of stakeholders. "This is a historic activity and an important milestone. The aircraft carrier will undergo a series of tests at sea before delivery in 2022."
About 550 Indian companies, including around 100 MSMEs, are registered with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and have provided various services for the construction of the IAC. India currently has only one aircraft carrier: INS Vikramaditya. The Indian Navy has focused on significantly strengthening its overall capabilities in the face of growing efforts by China to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean region. The Indian Ocean, believed to be the backyard of the Indian Navy, is central to the country's strategic interests.