Modi commissions India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier in defence push
Narendra Modi waves to the media after inspecting the INS Vikrant in Kochi, India.
Ashraf Padanna, Correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday commissioned India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, the 4,500-tonne Vikrant, at a ceremony in the southern port city of Kochi.
The warship commissioning puts India into a select league of half a dozen countries with the domestic capability to develop such large vessels.
The 860ft long and 197ft tall vessel has the capacity to hold 30 fighter planes and helicopters while the existing INS Vikramaditya can carry more than 30 aircraft.
The US Navy's Nimitz class carriers, the biggest in the world, can accommodate more than 60 aircraft.
During the event, the Prime Minister also unveiled the new naval ensign "doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.”
"INS Vikrant is a manifestation of India’s glorious maritime tradition. It is also a vibrant symbol of Indian pride,” Modi said.
"INS Vikrant is an example of the government's thrust to making India's defence sector self-reliant.”
Launched in 2013 before extensive trials began and delayed at its second phase of construction for five years, Vikrant (which means courageous) cost Rs 200 billion ($2.5billion).
The warship needs more than a year for fitting the arsenal. Before that, it will sail on international waters accompanied by frigates, destroyers and submarines protecting it.
It has a flight deck of 12,500sqm from where it can operate 12 fighter planes and six helicopters at once. The navy plans intensive flying tests from the carrier later this year.
Indian Navy's in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) designed the vessel built at the state-run Cochin Shipyard here with state-of-the-art automation features.
The largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India is named after its illustrious predecessor which played a vital role in its 1971 war with Pakistan.
Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated the navy, its designers and builders and termed it a significant step for the country's maritime security.
"India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, Vikrant, is a significant step for India's maritime security," he tweeted.
"Many congratulations to the Indian Navy, the Naval Design Bureau and Cochin Shipyard for many years of hard work that has made the vision of INS Vikrant come true.”
With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will have two operational aircraft carriers, which will bolster its maritime security. It will house 1,700 crew members when in service.
The commissioning of the new Vikrant marks a milestone in India’s domestic defence production, a major thrust area of Modi.
The Cochin Shipyard plans to get a new dock ready in two years to build another aircraft carrier and enhance the country’s defence capabilities.
It has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country and over 100 medium and small enterprises.
"Here on the coast of Kerala, India, every Indian is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. This event held on the INS Vikrant is a tribute to the rising spirits of India,” Modi said.
"Vikrant is not just a warship. This is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of India in the 21st century.”
If the goals are distant, he said, the journeys are long, the ocean and the challenges are endless - then India's answer is Vikrant.
Today, India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology,” Modi said.
"Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with a new confidence and has created a new confidence in the country.”
The prime minister who inspected various facilities on the vessel said it was like a floating city.
It produces electricity to power 5,000 households and the wiring used will reach Kashi from Kochi. It has a 16-bed hospital with two operating theatres and intensive care units.
"When Vikrant descends to protect our maritime zone, many women soldiers of the Navy will also be stationed there,” he said.
"With the immense power of the ocean, boundless female power, it is becoming the lofty identity of the new India.”
Vikrant, India's first aircraft carrier bought from the UK and commissioned in 1961, was decommissioned in 1997.
