Indian Navy has created maritime history on July 28 by taking delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant from her builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
Salient features
- Designed by Indian Navy’s inhouse Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war.
- The 262 mtr long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and advanced than her predecessor.
- The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totaling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots.
- The ship would be capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
- Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as STOBAR (Short Take- Off but Arrested Landing), the IAC is equipped with a ski- jump for launching aircraft, and a set of ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard.
