Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 28: The indigenous aircraft carrier ‘Vikrant’ was delivered to the Indian Navy by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi on Thursday.
“Indian Navy has created maritime history today by taking delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (AC) ‘Vikrant from her builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi,” said the Indian Navy.
“Designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war. Coinciding with the celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the reincarnation of Vikrant is a true testimony to the country’s zeal and fervour in pursuing capability build up towards enhanced maritime security,” he added.
The 262-meter-long carrier is substantially longer and more sophisticated than her predecessor, with a full displacement of around 45,000 tonnes.
The ship has a top speed of 28 knots and is propelled by four gas turbines with a combined 88 MW of power. The project, which was constructed for a total price of around 20,000 crores, was advanced over the course of three phases under a contract between the MoD and CSL that was finalised in May 2007, December 2014, and October 2019 accordingly. The keel of the ship was laid in February 2009, and it was launched in August 2013.
