India’s defense capabilities took a giant leap with the commissioning of INS Vikrant (IAC-1)—the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. Nicknamed the “Pride of the Indian Navy”, Vikrant isn’t just a ship—it’s a floating airbase, a symbol of self-reliance, and a powerful reminder of India’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Let’s dive into the story of INS Vikrant, its specifications, features, how it compares globally, and why it’s a game-changer for maritime security.
🔹 What is INS Vikrant?
INS Vikrant is India’s first aircraft carrier to be designed and built entirely in India, under the Make in India initiative. Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), it reflects India’s indigenous shipbuilding strength.
Named after the original INS Vikrant, which served in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the new Vikrant continues its legacy—stronger, faster, and equipped with the latest technology.
🔧 How It Came to Be: A Dream Decades in the Making
The idea of an indigenous aircraft carrier dates back to the early 1990s when India recognized the strategic need to build its own warships rather than rely on foreign imports. The original INS Vikrant (R11), acquired from the UK and used in the 1971 war, was decommissioned in 1997.
But that legacy had to be continued. Thus, the project for a homegrown carrier began. After years of planning, design, and development, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) began construction in 2009. The keel was laid in 2009, launched in 2013, and after extensive sea trials, the ship was commissioned on 2nd September 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
🎯 Why It Came to Be: Strategic Necessity in the Indo-Pacific
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a hotspot for maritime trade, piracy, and growing geopolitical tensions—especially with China expanding its naval footprint.
India needed:
- A stronger maritime presence
- Power projection beyond its borders
- The ability to protect strategic sea lanes
INS Vikrant ensures India is not just a coastal power—but a blue-water navy capable of deploying anywhere, anytime.
⚔️ What It Can Do: Combat, Surveillance, and Power Projection
INS Vikrant is designed to support:
- Airborne offensive and defensive operations
- Anti-submarine warfare
- Electronic warfare
- Fleet air defense
- Surveillance and reconnaissance missions
It can carry over 30 aircraft, including MiG-29Ks, MH-60R Seahawks, and indigenous HAL Dhruv helicopters.
Its onboard systems allow it to coordinate large-scale naval operations, making it the nerve center of India’s strike group.
| General Characteristics |
– Class: Vikrant-class aircraft carrier – Displacement: 45,000 tonnes (50,000 short tons) – Length: 262 m (860 ft) – Beam: 62 m (203 ft) – Height: 59 m (194 ft) – Draught: 8.4 m (28 ft) – Depth: 25.6 m (84 ft) – Decks: 14 – Crew: 196 officers, 1,449 sailors (incl. air crew) |
|---|---|
| Propulsion | Four General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines on two shafts, generating over 80 MW (110,000 hp) |
| Performance |
– Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h) – Range: 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km) |
| Armament |
– Long-range missile system with multi-function radar – Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) – Integration of Barak 8 (LR-SAM) |
| Aircraft Carried |
– Up to 36 aircraft (26 fixed-wing + helicopters) – Fighter Jets: 12 MiG-29K, up to 22 Rafale M (future) – Helicopters: 4 Kamov Ka-31, 2 HAL Dhruv NUH, 4 MH-60R |
| Aviation Facilities |
– Flight Deck: 12,500 m² – Hangar: 20 aircraft capacity, 2 hydraulic turntables, 2 elevators (30-tonne) – Runways: 1 short & 1 long with 14° ski-jump – Take-off Restraining Gears: 2 – Arresting Gears: 3 steel cables – Night Ops: Non-skid paint & Saturn Lighting System |
| Sensors and Systems |
– Combat Management System by Tata Advanced Systems – Maritime Domain Awareness System – Automatic Weather Observation System (AWOS) |
| Medical Facilities |
– 16-bed hospital with ICU, CT scan, isolation, female & general wards – 5 medical officers & 25 assistants |
| Additional Capabilities |
– Damage Control HQ: 3,000 fire sensors, 700 flood sensors – Ops Room: CBG coordination, radar, weapons control – Ship Control Centre (SCC): Full command system – FLYCO: Flight ops control at 10 m elevation – Infrastructure: 2,300 compartments, 8 km corridors, city-scale power (8 generators), female officer cabins |
Imagine a mobile airbase, gliding across the ocean at 28 knots (52 km/h), capable of traveling from Mumbai to Singapore and back without refueling. That’s INS Vikrant. Stretching 262 meters in length and displacing 45,000 tonnes, it’s a floating fortress that can carry up to 36 aircraft, including fighter jets like the MiG-29K and helicopters such as the Kamov Ka-31. Its flight deck, spanning 12,500 square meters, is equipped with a Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system—planes launch via a ski-jump and land with the help of arresting wires.
But INS Vikrant is more than a platform for aircraft. It’s a command center, with an advanced Operations Room that coordinates naval operations across the fleet. Its helicopters can hunt submarines, rescue distressed sailors, or transport supplies, while its fighter jets can establish air superiority or strike targets on land and sea. And in times of crisis, its 16-bed hospital, complete with ICU and CT scan facilities, stands ready to provide critical medical care..
🛡️ What It Has Done So Far: Making Waves Since Commissioning
Since its commissioning in 2022:
- INS Vikrant has completed several sea trials across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
- Carrier-based flight trials began in early 2023, with successful MiG-29K landings and take-offs.
- Participated in major naval exercises like TROPEX 2023 (Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise).
- Has been used for joint drills with friendly navies, signaling India’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific.
- In early 2025, it led the TROPEX exercise, a massive naval drill involving over 65 warships, 9 submarines, and 80 aircraft.
- As the sun rose over the Arabian Sea, the carrier’s deck buzzed with activity—MiG-29Ks roared into the sky, helicopters hovered in formation, and an infantry brigade simulated amphibious landings. It was a breathtaking display of coordination and power.
- After the TROPEX exercise, it conducted a medical evacuation from a distressed bulk carrier, proving its value in humanitarian missions.
- Later this (2025) year, during heightened tensions with Pakistan, INS Vikrant was deployed off the Karwar coast, its presence a clear signal of India’s readiness. Uunderscoring its role in regional deterrence. Yet, INS Vikrant’s versatility extends beyond conflict.
📰 Major Recent News (2024–2025)
- February 2024: MiG-29K carrier qualification trials successfully completed.
- April 2024: Conducted joint drills with the French Navy as part of the Varuna Exercise.
- January 2025: Testing began for HAL TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter) prototypes from INS Vikrant, marking progress toward a future Indian-made naval fighter.
- April 23, 2025: Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, INS Vikrant led India’s Western Fleet into a high-alert deployment in the Arabian Sea, stationed near the Karwar coast to reinforce deterrence and readiness.
- Late April 2025: INS Vikrant repositioned strategically after Pakistani naval movements intensified, with speculation about proximity deterrence operations near Karachi waters.
- May 8, 2025: As regional tensions escalated, INS Vikrant maintained active operational readiness in the Arabian Sea, reinforcing India’s maritime posture during the height of the Indo-Pak missile exchange.
INS Vikrant is no longer just in trial mode—it’s combat-ready and operational.
👨✈️ Current Command & Quotes
Commanding Officer (2025):
Rear Admiral Vidhyadhar Harke (Note: Commanding officers change; verify from Indian Navy Official Website)
Quote from Indian Navy (2022):
“INS Vikrant is not just steel and sensors. It is a symbol of India’s resolve to be self-reliant in defense.”
Quote from PM Modi (during commissioning):
“INS Vikrant is a floating city, and a testament to India’s ability to build world-class warships indigenously.”
📌 Final Thoughts
The journey of INS Vikrant is more than a story of engineering—it’s a national achievement. In an increasingly volatile Indo-Pacific, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier sends a clear message: the future of naval power will be homegrown.
With INS Vikrant fully operational, India is no longer preparing for the future—it’s already sailing into it.
🔗 Learn More
➡️ Official INS Vikrant Page – Indian Navy
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