CSL Set to Launch India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is about to launch India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) , reports The Hindu. The launching of the aircraft carrier, that will bear the name INS Vikrant, will take place at Kochi shipyard on August 12.

With the IAC project, India joins the prominent club of 40,000 T plus aircraft carrier designers and builders, bringing CSL among the few shipyards of the world to have attempted to construct this kind of vessels.

The ship, constructed by using high strength steel developed in-house with the help of DRDO and SAIL, will have a length of 260 m and max breadth of 60 m and will be propelled by two shafts, each coupled to two LM2500 Gas Turbines developing a total power of 80 MW, sufficient to attain speeds in excess of 28 knots. The ship has an endurance of around 8,000 NM and a complement of 1600. She will have the capacity to carry a maximum of 30 aircraft with adequate hangarage capacity. The carrier is designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability.

The design of this prestigious ship has been undertaken by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) a company with an experience of over 40 years in successfully designing 17 different classes of warships, to which around 90 ships have already been built within the country.

CSL was selected for this challenging project based on its technical expertise, inherent strength in detailed engineering, capacity to innovate, reputation for ontime delivery and modern infrastructure. The yard commenced the steel cutting for this project in April 2005, followed by the keel-laying in February 28, 2009.

Delivery of the ship to the Navy is scheduled for late 2014.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, August 2, 2013