Indian naval forces receive first locally made aircraft carrier

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
29 Jul 2022 16:08

After its completion in 2020, the aircraft carrier underwent a series of sea trials throughout 2021 and was finally received on Thursday by the Indian navy.

First locally made aircraft carrier "Vikrant" received by indian navy

Vikrant, the name of the first ever made Indian aircraft carrier, was received on Thursday by the Indian Navy forces.

The carrier, which was produced by Indian company Cochin Shipyard Ltd., will serve as a floating airfield for 30 fighter jets and helicopters and will be fully commissioned by the Indian air force in late August.

The construction of the ship began in early 2000 and was completed in 2020. It underwent a series of sea trials in 2021 before it was finally obtained by the Indian navy.

The vessel will be used to carry American MH-60R and Russian MIG-29K and KA-31 aircraft. Practice is still ongoing for the takeoffs, landings, and sea-based operations on the ship's deck. It is expected for the aircraft carrier to be fully operational by mid-2023.

The ship is named after India's first aircraft carrier acquired from the UK in 1961, which was actively deployed in combat operations during the third Indo-Pakistani War in 1971. It served in the Indian navy until 1997.