India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Launched

India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Launched

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) today launched India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) the INS Vikrant. It took CSL four-and-a-half years since the keel laying to launch this 37,500-tonne warship.

Defence Minister A. K. Antony’s wife Elizabeth launched the 37,500-tonne carrier with the presence of Union Shipping Minister G. K. Vasan and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral D. K. Joshi, reports IBNlive.

After the launch, which marked the end of the first phase of INS Vikrant’s construction, the carrier will be docked at the shipyard for further outfitting works and construction of the superstructure. The works are scheduled to be completed by June 2014.

This 260 metres long and 60 metres wide aircraft carrier will have the capacity to carry a maximum of 30 aircrafts including MiG 29K and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The vessel 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 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 warships.

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.

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World Maritime News Staff, August 13, 2013; Image: CSL