Jump to content

INS Vikrant (2013)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

INS Vikrant (2013)
INS Vikrant
History
India
NameVikrant
NamesakeVikrant (1961)
OperatorIndian Navy
Ordered2004
BuilderCochin Shipyard Limited
Cost23,000 crore (equivalent to 260 billion or US$3.1 billion in 2023)[1][2]
Laid down28 February 2009
Launched12 August 2013
Acquired28 July 2022[3]
Commissioned2 September 2022
HomeportINS Kadamba, Karwar
IdentificationPennant number: R11
Motto
  • जयेम सं युधिस्पृधः (Sanskrit)
  • "I defeat those who fight against me" (translated)
Nickname(s)IAC-1
StatusIn active service[4][5]
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeVikrant-class aircraft carrier
Displacement
Length265 m (869 ft)
Beam62 m (203 ft)
Height59 m (194 ft)[7]
Draught8.4 m (28 ft)
Depth25.6 m (84 ft)
Decks14
Installed power
PropulsionTwo shafts
Speed30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph)[9]
Range8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi)[10]
Crew196 officers, 1,449 sailors (including air crew)[11]
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilities12,500 m2 flight deck[21]

INS Vikrant (pronounced [vikraːnt̪ə])[22] is an aircraft carrier in service with Indian Navy. The carrier is India's fourth carrier and the first to be built in India. It was constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala. The namesake Vikrant is a tribute to India's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant (1961). Vikrant means "courageous" in Sanskrit.[23] The motto of the ship, "जयेम सम् युधिस्पृधः" (Sanskrit), means "I defeat those who dare to challenge me" (English). It is currently one of two active aircraft carriers in the Indian Navy, the other being the flagship INS Vikramaditya.

Work on the ship's design began in 1999. The keel was laid in 2009. The carrier was floated out of dry dock in December 2011[24] and launched in August 2013.[25] Basin trials were completed in December 2020,[26] and sea trials started in August 2021.[27] Its commissioning ceremony was held on 2 September 2022.[28] Aircraft flight trials will be completed in 2023.[27][29] The total cost of the project is approximately 23,000 crore (equivalent to 260 billion or US$3.1 billion in 2023) at the time of first sea trials.[1][2]

Vikrant's air group can consist up to 26 Rafale M fighters[30] and up to 4 Kamov Ka-31,[31] or 2 HAL Dhruv NUH[32] or 4 MH-60R[33] helicopters.[2] It is 262 metres (860 ft) in length, with a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) and endurance of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km; 8,600 mi). The ship has 2,300 compartments manned by 1,700 seamen. It has a hospital complex, cabins for female officers, eight kilometres (5.0 mi) of corridors, and eight generators capable of lighting up a city of 2 million people.[34]

Background

[edit]

In 1999, Defence Minister George Fernandes authorised the development and construction of an aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, under the Project 71 Air Defence Ship (ADS).[35] By that time, given the ageing Sea Harrier fleet, the letter of intent called for a carrier that would carry more modern jet fighters. In 2001, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) released a graphic illustration showing a 32,000-tonne (31,000-long-ton; 35,000-short-ton) STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) design with a pronounced ski jump.[citation needed]

The aircraft carrier project received formal government approval in January 2003. By then, design updates called for a 37,500-tonne (36,900-long-ton; 41,300-short-ton) carrier to operate the Mikoyan MiG-29K. India opted for a three-carrier fleet consisting of one carrier battle group stationed on each seaboard, and a third carrier held in reserve, in order to continuously protect both its flanks, to protect economic interests and mercantile traffic, and to provide humanitarian platforms in times of disasters, since a carrier can provide a self-generating supply of fresh water, medical assistance or engineering expertise to populations in need for assistance.[36]

In August 2006, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash stated that the designation for the vessel had been changed from Air Defence Ship (ADS) to Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC). The euphemistic ADS had been adopted in planning stages to ward off concerns about a naval build-up.[citation needed] Final revisions to the design increased the displacement of the carrier from 37,500 tons to over 45,000 tons. The length of the ship increased from 252 metres (827 ft) to 262 metres (860 ft).[37]

Repeat order

[edit]

Following the Formal Commissioning of Vikrant, a proposal was made to build another IAC class carrier before INS Vishal. By November 2023, a ₹400 billion worth proposal for a new carrier was on track to be approved by the Defense Acquisition Council — the country's top defense decision-making body headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.[38][39]

The new carrier, which can hold at least 28 fighter jets and helicopters will displace 45,000 tons of water and will be flying the French Rafale jets initially, but will fly HAL TEDBF fighters in 2030s.[40]

As of March 2024, Indian Navy has been submitted the proposal to acquire another Aircraft Carrier to Ministry of Defence. IAC-2 will have an increased indigenous content than INS Vikrant (IAC-1). The major components which will be indigenised includes arresting gear system, restraining gear used to launch aircraft and Precision Approach Radar.[41][42]

Design

[edit]
A schematic diagram of INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant is 262 metres (860 ft) long and 62 metres (203 ft) wide, and displaces about 45,000 tonnes (44,000 long tons; 50,000 short tons).[43] It features a STOBAR configuration.[44] It can carry an air group of up to thirty-six aircraft,[45] including 26 fixed-wing combat aircraft,[46] and a mix of Dhruv MK-III, Sikorsky MH-60R and Kamov Ka-31 helicopters. The Ka-31 will fulfil the airborne early warning (AEW) role, MH-60R will provide anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities,[47] and Dhruv will be used mainly for search and rescue operations.[48]

Vikrant is powered by four General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines on two shafts, generating over 80 megawatts (110,000 hp) of power. The gearboxes for the carriers were designed and supplied by Elecon Engineering.[24][49][50]

The ship's combat management system (CMS) was developed by Tata Advanced Systems.[13] It is the first CMS developed by a private company for the Indian Navy and was handed over to the Navy on 28 March 2019.[51][52]

Carrier air group

[edit]
The maiden landing of a MiG-29K on board INS Vikrant (R11)

Earlier, the Indian Navy considered fielding MiG-29K,[53] and LCA Navy on Vikrant.[54] At the same time, in 2009, the then navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma hinted that the Navy was carrying out a concept study for a more capable naval fighter,[54] which turned out to be the HAL TEDBF, unveiled at 2021 Aero India airshow.[55] In June 2012, Flight Global reported that the Indian Navy was considering the purchase of Dassault Rafale M (Naval variant) for Vikrant.[56] The Rafale was by then declared the winner of IAF's MMRCA competition.[57]

In 2016, the Navy announced that the Tejas was overweight for carrier operations, and other alternatives would be looked at.[58][59] In 2017, a request for proposal was issued for 57 "Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters",[60] which was later cut down to 26 fighters act as a stop gap measure until the TEDBF is developed.[61] In December 2020, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, in coordination with the United States Navy, demonstrated F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's capability to operate from STOBAR carrier.[62][63][64]

HAL Dhruv on board Vikrant during sea trials

In 2022, the Indian Navy began testing the Rafale M and Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet at a shore-based test facility at INS Hansa in Goa.[65][66][67][68] The Navy started the fixed wing aviation trials with Tejas Naval variant. This to be followed by MiG-29K trials.[69]

Ultimately, the Indian military chose the Rafale M from France for compatibility with its logistics system.[70] The Indian government announced the selection of the naval variant of Rafale jets to equip the Indian Navy with the latest-generation fighter, Dassault Aviation said on 15 July 2023.[20] The cost negotiations for the Rafale deal were expected to begin on 30 May 2024.[71][72]

The prototype of the TEDBF is to be readied by 2026 and its production is to begin by 2032. Naval Tejas being a technology demonstrator development of niche technology for deck based fighter operations, paving the way for TEDBF.[61]

Construction

[edit]
IAC-1 on its maiden sea voyage

Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier to be designed by the Warship Design Bureau (formerly Directorate of Naval Design) of the Indian Navy and the first warship to be built by Cochin Shipyard. Its construction involved participation of a large number of private and public firms.

The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) created facilities to manufacture the DMR 249 grade steel in India.[24][73] Reportedly, 26,000 tonnes (26,000 long tons; 29,000 short tons) of three types of special steel for the hull, flight deck and floor compartments were manufactured at the Bokaro Steel Plant (Jharkhand), Bhilai Steel Plant (Chhattisgarh) and Rourkela Steel Plant (Odisha). Due to this, Vikrant is the first ship of the Indian Navy to be built completely using domestically produced steel.[74]

The main switch board, steering gear and water tight hatches have been manufactured by Larsen & Toubro in Mumbai and Talegaon; high-capacity air conditioning and refrigeration systems have been manufactured in Kirloskar Group's plants in Pune; most pumps have been supplied by Best and Crompton; Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) supplied the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), which is being installed by Avio, an Italian company; the gear box was supplied by Elecon Engineering; and the electrical cables are being supplied by Nicco Industries.[75] Fincantieri provided consultancy for the propulsion package while Russia's Nevskoye Design Bureau designed the aviation complex.[76]

The keel for Vikrant was laid by Defence Minister A.K. Antony at the Cochin Shipyard on 28 February 2009.[77][78] The ship uses modular construction, with 874 blocks joined for the hull. By the time the keel was laid, 423 blocks weighing over 8,000 tons had been completed.[79] In August 2011, the Defence Ministry reported to the Lok Sabha that 75% of the construction work for the hull of the lead carrier had been completed and the carrier would be first launched in December 2011, following which further works would be completed until commissioning.[80][81] On 29 December 2011, the completed hull of the carrier was first floated out of its dry dock at CSL, with its displacement at over 14,000 tonnes (14,000 long tons; 15,000 short tons).[49] Interior works and fittings on the hull would be carried out until the second half of 2012, when it would again be dry-docked for integration with its propulsion and power generation systems.[10][24] By late 2012, work commenced for the next stage of construction, which included the installation of the integrated propulsion system, the superstructure, the upper decks, the cabling, sensors and weapons.[82]

Launch

[edit]
INS Vikrant during its launch in August 2013

In July 2013, Defence Minister Antony announced that Vikrant would be launched on 12 August at the Cochin Shipyard. The ship was launched by his wife, Elizabeth Antony, on 12 August 2013.[83]

According to Admiral Robin Dhowan, about 83% of the fabrication work and 75% of the construction work had been completed at the time of launching. He said that 90% of the body work of the aircraft carrier had been designed and made in India, about 50% of the propulsion system, and about 30% of its weaponry. He also said that the ship would be equipped with a long range missile system with multi-function radar and a close-in weapon system (CIWS).[84] After the launch, Vikrant would be re-docked for the second phase of construction, in which the ship would be fitted with various weapons and sensors, and the propulsion system, flight deck and the aircraft complex would be integrated.[75]

Undocking and fitting-out

[edit]
INS Vikrant during its undocking in June 2015

Vikrant was undocked on 10 June 2015 after the completion of structural work. Cabling, piping, heat and ventilation works were scheduled to be completed by 2017 with sea trials to begin thereafter.[85] By October 2015, the construction of the hull was close to 98 percent complete, with flight deck construction underway.[86] The installation of machinery, piping and the propeller shafts was in progress by January 2016; it was reported, however, that there were delays in the delivery of equipment from Russia for the carrier's aviation complex.[87] By May 2017, the carrier's fitting-out was 62% complete, with trials of the auxiliary systems scheduled by late 2017.[11]

In February 2020, all major structural and outfitting work was declared complete.[88]

Harbour and sea trials

[edit]
Basin trials of the aircraft carrier

On 31 October 2019, Cochin Shipyard received a 30 billion (equivalent to 37 billion or US$450 million in 2023) contract for the Phase-III of the project.[89] This contract included funds for the harbour trials, sea trials and support for the ship during its weapons and aviation trials after its delivery.[90] In December 2019, it was reported the engines had been switched on.[91] By September 2020, Vikrant had completed harbour trials while the basin trials started from October 2020 to check propulsion, electric transmission and shafting systems.[92] On 30 November 2020, the basin trials were completed, paving the way for sea trials, the final phase of the IAC-I project.[93][94]

A Westland WS-61 Sea King approaches Vikrant while on sea trials.

In April 2021, it was reported that work had begun to integrate the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) on board Vikrant.[95][96][97] On 15 June 2021, Vikrant was moved to the Ernakulam Wharf in Kochi, Kerala.[98] On 4 August 2021, sea trials finally began.[99] The first phase of the sea trials was successfully completed on 8 August 2021.[100] The second phase of the trials was conducted on 24 October 2021,[101] followed by the third phase from 9–17 January 2022,[102][103][104] both of which were completed successfully.[105] On 10 July, the fourth and final phase of the sea trials was successfully completed. This phase involved integrated trials of most of the equipment and systems aboard Vikrant, including portions of the Aviation Facilities Complex.[106] On 26 May 2023 Indian built Mikoyan MiG-29K successfully landed on its deck during night sea trials lauding praise from defense ministry for Navy's dependence on Atmanirbhar Bharat.[107]

Completion and commissioning

[edit]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant on 2 September 2022 in Kochi, Kerala.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant on 2 September 2022 in a grand ceremony at Cochin Shipyard.[28][108] Earlier, INS Vikrant was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 July 2022.[4] Flight trials of its aircraft complement are expected to be completed by mid-2023, after which the ship will be fully operational.[27] In March 2020, it was revealed that after its commissioning, the Navy will deploy Vikrant at Larsen & Toubro's shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai. This was done as the planned naval base in Rambilli near Vishakhapatnam was not ready yet.[109]

The Navy wants to lease a 260 m berth at Kattupalli shipyard for 8 years between 2022 and 2030 for interim berthing of the ship, by which time the naval base at Rambilli, INS Varsha, is expected to be available.[109] On 6 February 2023, the naval variant of the Tejas became the first fixed wing fighter to launch from and recover to Vikrant.[110] On 22 March 2023, the Vice Chief of Navy Staff, Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, returned the bell originally placed on the previous Vikrant to Commodore Vidhyadhar Harke, the new ship's first commanding officer. In 1997, the bell of the decommissioned namesake ship was placed at the residence of Indian Navy Vice Chief, 5 Motilal Nehru Marg, New Delhi.[111]

Project delays

[edit]

The construction plan originally called for the carrier to be launched in 2010,[112] sea trials to commence in 2013, and to be commissioned in 2016.[113][114] However, the project experienced some delays such as delay in the delivery of main gearboxes, aviation equipments etc., and cost overrun.[115] The supplier of gearboxes, Elecon, attributed it to technical complexities due to the length of the propulsion shafts.[116]

Part of the blame for the delay in delivery of Vikrant was attributed to the delay in the supply of aviation equipment from Russia. In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Sripad Naik, the Minister of State for Defence, stated: "Ship's targeted delivery was affected due to delay in supply of aviation equipment from Russia".[117] Later due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sea trials of the carrier were further postponed to late 2020,[118] but eventually began in August 2021. The carrier was commissioned on 2 September 2022.[119][120][121]

LCA Tejas maiden landing on board INS Vikrant (R11)

Service history

[edit]

On 6 February 2023, two arrested landings and subsequent take-offs were carried out by MiG-29Ks and also by a HAL Tejas Naval.[122][123]

In June 2023, Indian Navy showcased the dual carrier operations including INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya. The exercise included 35 aircraft including MiG 29K, MH 60R, Kamov Ka 31, Sea King, Chetak and HAL Dhruv. This helped in the integration of the aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy and displayed the maritime prowess of India.[124]

In November 2023, INS Vikrant achieved fully operational status. Indian Navy, after this development, had two full Carrier Battle Groups (CBG).[125]

In mid February 2024, INS Vikrant along with INS Vikramaditya participated in Milan 2024 multinational naval exercise hosted by Indian Navy along with other ships, submarines and aircraft of friendly foreign nations. The concluding ceremony of the sea phase of the exercise was hosted on board INS Vikrant.[126]

In late February and early March 2024, INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya were deployed for conducting joint operations on various locations along the Indian coastline with escorts. In the first week of March, while INS Vikramaditya was hosting the first half of the Indian Navy's Biannual Naval Commanders' Conference 2024, both carriers launched MiG-29K fighters simultaneously. In addition, the carriers accommodated and conveyed numerous reporters to report on the commissioning ceremony of INS Jatayu, located on Minicoy Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago on the southwest coast of mainland India.[127]

On 20 August 2024, INS Vikrant officially joined the Western Fleet, when deployed for a multi-domain exercise and twin carrier fighter operations in the Arabian Sea along with the Carrier Battle Group (CBG) led by INS Vikramaditya. The CBG included Kolkata-class destroyers and Talwar-class frigates. This was done after the completion of the guarantee refit and refit trials at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) where it was fitted with Barak 8 missiles and EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar. The carrier air wing included 30 aircraft and helicopters along with MiG-29K.[128][129][130]

INS Vikrant's home base will be changed from Karwar to Visakhapatnam after some time. This was reported in 2021 and the reason was the requirement of certain infrastructure facility development. This will lead to an operational CBG in the Eastern Fleet along with the Delhi-class destroyers, Nilgiri-class frigates and Kamorta-class corvettes. The Navy was also looking to transfer one of the MiG-29K squadron in INS Dega to form the Carrier Air Group of the aircraft carrier.[131]

On 7 November 2024, the President of India Droupadi Murmu embarked on the indigenous carrier off the Goa coast from INS Hansa. The deployment included 15 frontline warships compromising 3 Kalvari class, 2 Shishumar class and 1 Sindhughosh-class submarine. Carrier operations of MiG-29K, missile firing drills, submarine manoeuvres and flypasts by 30 aircraft were also demonstrated.[132][133][134]

Commanding officers

[edit]
Name Took command Left command Notes
Captain Vidhyadhar Harke VSM 7 May 2021 31 December 2023 First CO of Vikrant. Current CSO (Ops), Western Naval Command.[135]
Captain Birendra S Bains VSM 31 December 2023 Present Commissioning CO of INS Visakhapatnam (D66).[136][137]
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant sets off for sea trials from Kochi". The New Indian Express. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "IAC Vikrant, India's first indigenously-built aircraft carrier, commissioned on September 2". msn. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant handed over to Indian Navy". 29 July 2022. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Delivery of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 'Vikrant'". Press Information Bureau of India. 28 July 2022. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  5. ^ "Aircraft carrier Vikrant completes third sea trials, returns to Kochi harbour". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ Farley, Robert. "An Update on India's Aircraft Carrier Aspirations". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  7. ^ "Commencement of Sea Trials of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier IAC-P71 "VIKRANT"". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  8. ^ "LM2500 Engines To Power India's First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". Naval News. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, to be named INS Vikrant, is biggest ship made in India". The Hindu. 25 June 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  10. ^ a b "India Floats out Its First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". DefenceNow.com. 2 January 2012. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  11. ^ a b Anandan, S. (13 May 2017). "In the heart of the iron beast". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Annual Report 2019–20" (PDF). Cochin Shipyard Ltd. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  13. ^ a b c Philip, Snehesh Alex (2 September 2022). "Floating airfield — PM Modi commissions INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  14. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (25 June 2021). "Sea trials of first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in July, commissioning mid-2022". ThePrint. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  15. ^ "MilPower - Show warship class". www.milpower.org. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  16. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (25 June 2021). "Sea trials of first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in July, commissioning mid-2022". ThePrint. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  17. ^ "List of Aircraft Carriers Under Construction: 2013". World Defense Review. Archived from the original on 19 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  18. ^ Navy to go for VISHAL | Vikrant's Lift 10x14m on YouTube
  19. ^ Anand, Nisha (25 August 2022). "India's indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant to be commissioned on Sept 2". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  20. ^ a b "India selects naval version of Rafale: Dassault Aviation". The Hindu. 15 July 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  21. ^ "INS Vikrant: Inside India's newly-commissioned aircraft carrier". BBC News. 1 September 2022. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  22. ^ Gady, Franz-Stefan. "India's First Homegrown Aircraft Carrier to Enter Sea Trials in Early 2020". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  23. ^ Singh, Harmeet (12 August 2013). "India unveils home-built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant". CNN. Archived from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  24. ^ a b c d Anandan, S.; Martin, K. A. (30 December 2011). "Navy floats out first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 January 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  25. ^ "India launches first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant". The Time of India. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016.
  26. ^ Vavasseur, Xavier (30 November 2020). "India's New Aircraft Carrier IAC 1 – INS Vikrant Passes Basin Trials". Naval News. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  27. ^ a b c Pandit, Rajat (5 August 2021). "India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, to be named INS Vikrant, finally begins sea trials". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  28. ^ a b "PM Commissions INS Vikrant". Press Trust of India. 2 September 2022. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  29. ^ "Navy's long-term plan is to have three aircraft carriers, says Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh". Business Line. 3 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  30. ^ Gupta, Shishir (10 July 2023). "Indian Navy to get 26 Rafale-M fighters and three attack submarines from France". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  31. ^ Raghuvanshi, Vivek (16 May 2022). "India halts Ka-31 helicopter deal with Russia". Defense News. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  32. ^ "India's First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier - INS Vikrant". Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.
  33. ^ Negi, Manjeet; Bhalla, Abhishek (17 July 2021). "Indian Navy receives first two 24 MH-60R helicopters from US". India Today. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  34. ^ "IAC Vikrant, India's first indigenously-built aircraft carrier, to be commissioned on September 2". msn. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  35. ^ "Indian Aircraft Carrier (Project-71)". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
  36. ^ Rehman, Iskander (1 June 2010). "India's Future Aircraft Carrier Force and the Need for Strategic Flexibility". idsa.in. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  37. ^ "Antony lays keel of first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". Pib.nic.in. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  38. ^ "India to add $5 billion aircraft carrier to fleet to counter China". The Times of India. 28 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  39. ^ Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (28 November 2023). "India to Add $5 Billion Aircraft Carrier to Fleet to Counter China". Bloomberg. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  40. ^ Ray, Kaylan (28 November 2023). "Indian Navy's proposal on second indigenous aircraft carrier cleared by Defence Procurement Board". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  41. ^ Menon, Adithya Krishna (9 October 2023). "India Closer to Procuring Third Aircraft Carrier, More MPA". Naval News. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  42. ^ "Indian Navy proposes 2nd Aircraft Carrier to bolster self-reliance in defence". ddnews.gov.in. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  43. ^ Farley, Robert. "An Update on India's Aircraft Carrier Aspirations". thediplomat.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  44. ^ Shrivastava, Sanskar (25 August 2013). "Comparison of Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning and Indian INS Vikrant". The World Reporter. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  45. ^ "INS Vikrant: 10 things about India's first indigenous aircraft carrier - 37,500-tonne carrier". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  46. ^ Ramsay, Sushil (March 2014). "Force Projection and Modernization of Indian Navy". SP's Naval Forces. pp. 4–6. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  47. ^ Parsons, Dan (15 May 2020). "India buys two dozen MH-60R sub-hunting helicopters for $900 million". Vertical Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  48. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel; Bedi, Rahul (20 April 2021). "Indian Navy commissions first squadron of Dhruv ALH Mk III helicopters". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  49. ^ a b Vora, Rutan (26 December 2011). "Elecon to supply gears for India's first aircraft carrier". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  50. ^ "India starts work on second indigenous aircraft carrier". The Economic Times. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  51. ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (29 March 2019). "Indian Navy gets combat management system for INS Vikrant". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  52. ^ "Indian Navy gets most critical, made in India, CM system for its indigenous Aircraft Carrier". The Financial Express. 29 March 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  53. ^ Pandit, Rajat (18 January 2010). "India, Russia to ink $1.2 bn deal for 29 more MiG-29Ks". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
  54. ^ a b Sandeep Unnithan (2 December 2009). "First indigenous aircraft carrier to be launched next year: Navy chief: LATEST HEADLINES: India Today". Indiatoday.intoday.in. Archived from the original on 26 January 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  55. ^ Jennings, Gareth (4 February 2021). "Aero India 2021: Indian TEDBF naval fighter showcased by HAL". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  56. ^ "IAC enters trial as navy eyes Rafale". Flight magazine. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  57. ^ Deepalakshimi, K. (16 April 2016). "All you need to know about the Rafale deal". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  58. ^ "Navy rejects Tejas, says "overweight" fighter does not meet its requirements". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  59. ^ "Navy rules out deploying "overweight" Tejas on aircraft carriers". indianexpress.com. 2 December 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
  60. ^ Siddiqui, Huma (18 April 2018). "Requests for proposals: Indian Navy looks to buy 57 fighters for Rs 95,000 crore". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  61. ^ a b Singh, Rahul (6 February 2023). "WATCH | Naval Light Combat Aircraft operates from INS Vikrant for 1st time". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  62. ^ Peri, Dinakar (21 December 2020). "F/A-18 operation on Indian carriers successfully demonstrated: Boeing". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  63. ^ Pubby, Manu (21 December 2020). "Boeing announces Super Hornet demonstrated compatibility with Indian carriers - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  64. ^ Gupta, Shishir (30 May 2022). "India to buy 26 fighters for INS Vikrant on G-2-G basis". Hindustan times. Archived from the original on 30 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  65. ^ P, Rajat (6 January 2022). "Demonstration of Rafale fighter for Navy begins at Goa, F/A-18 next in March". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  66. ^ Gupta, Shishir (1 January 2022). "Navy to test Rafale-M jet for INS Vikrant". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  67. ^ Dubois, Gastón (3 January 2022). "Rafale M to begin Ski-Jump take-off trials for Indian Navy". Aviacionline.com (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  68. ^ "Indian Navy to conduct flight tests of Rafale-M fighter jet". Naval Technology. 4 January 2022. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  69. ^ Anandan, S. (27 August 2022). "'Vikrant to take a finite time to be fully ready for deployment'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  70. ^ Siddiqui, Huma (10 July 2023). "India's fighter jet selection for INS Vikrant: An evolving scenario". Financial Express. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  71. ^ "India to start talks for 26 Rafale Marine jets: Here's all about the 'omnirole' naval fighter plane". The Economic Times. 28 May 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  72. ^ "India rafale jet: India, France to begin negotiations this week in mega Rs 50,000 crore 26 Rafale Marine jet deal - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  73. ^ Shukla, Ajai (29 August 2013). "INS Vikrant's first victory: Being built from Indian steel". The Business Standard. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  74. ^ Shukla, Ajai (7 August 2013). "INS Vikrant's first victory: being built from Indian steel". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 11 August 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  75. ^ a b "'Vikrant' Reborn in Indigenous Avtar". Indian Defence Review. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  76. ^ Anandan, S. (13 May 2017). "In the heart of the iron beast, INS Vikrant". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  77. ^ "Govt overhauls coastal security; gives overall charge to Navy". dnaindia. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  78. ^ "India overhauls coastal security, Navy gets charge". NDTV.com. 28 February 2009. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  79. ^ Ray, Kaylan (1 March 2009). "India joins elite warships club". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  80. ^ "Indigenous aircraft carrier launch this Dec". Zeenews. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  81. ^ "First indigenous aircraft carrier to be completed by Dec: Govt". Ibnlive.in.com. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012.
  82. ^ Pandit, Rajat (16 August 2014). "PM Modi inducts India's largest indigenously built warship INS Kolkata". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 October 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  83. ^ "India launches home-built, 37,500-tonne aircraft carrier in a shot across the bow to China". National Post. Associated Press. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015. The 37,500 tonne INS Vikrant is expected to go for extensive trials in 2016 before being inducted into the navy by 2017, reports say. With this, India joins the select group of countries comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia and France capable of building such a vessel.
  84. ^ Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (11 August 2013). "INS Vikrant, first Indian-made aircraft carrier, enters water next week". NDTV. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  85. ^ Anandan, S. (10 June 2015). "Cochin Shipyard undocks INS Vikrant". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  86. ^ Gupta, Jayanta (15 October 2015). "Aircraft carrier INS Vikrant will be delivered to Navy on time: Cochin Shipyard chief". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  87. ^ "Navy chief reviews Vikrant project". The Hindu. 17 January 2016. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  88. ^ Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir (10 February 2020). "Structural and outfitting work of India's first indigenous aircraft carrier complete". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  89. ^ "Cochin Shipyard hits 52-week high after bagging Rs 3,000-crore contract". Moneycontrol. 1 November 2019. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  90. ^ Narasimhan, T. E. (1 November 2019). "Cochin Shipyard bags Rs 3,000 crore contract for aircraft carrier Vikrant". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  91. ^ Pubby, Manu (2 December 2019). "Engines fired up, basin trials next for Indigenous Aircraft Carrier". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  92. ^ Singh, Mayank (21 August 2020). "India's first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier "ready" for basin trials in September". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  93. ^ @DefencePROkochi (30 November 2020). "Tweet from Public Relations Ministry of Defence" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  94. ^ "Major Milestone Achieved by IAC - Basin Trials Successful". Indian Navy. 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  95. ^ "LRSAM system to equip the future Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant". www.navyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  96. ^ "INS Vikrant to get LRSAM Cover Soon". www.eletimes.com. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  97. ^ "INS Vikrant to get LRSAM Cover Soon". Defence News India. 10 April 2021. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  98. ^ "Outlook India Photo Gallery - Jun 15, 2021". www.outlookindia.com/. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  99. ^ Pandit, Rajat (5 August 2021). "India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, to be named INS Vikrant, finally begins sea trials". Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  100. ^ "Vikrant successfully completes 5-day maiden sea voyage - Rediff.com". Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  101. ^ "India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant begins second phase of sea trials". The Hindu. 24 October 2021. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  102. ^ "India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant begins another set of sea trials". Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  103. ^ "Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant heads out for next round of sea trials". The Hindu. 9 January 2022. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  104. ^ Bhalla, Abhishek; Negi, Manjeet (9 January 2022). "India's first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant enters third phase of trials Top Points". India Today. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  105. ^ "EXPLAINED: Why Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant Puts India In Select Group Of Nations". News18. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  106. ^ "Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant: Completion of Fourth Phase of Sea Trials". Press Information Bureau of India. 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  107. ^ "MiG-29K Lands On India's Aircraft Carrier At Night For First Time". New Delhi Television. 27 May 2023.
  108. ^ "INS Vikrant, 1st India-Made Aircraft Carrier, Commissioned By PM". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  109. ^ a b "Indian Navy to berth new aircraft carrier at private shipyard". livemint.com. 15 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  110. ^ "In Pics: INS Vikrant Landed Its First Fixed-Wing Aircraft Crossing A New Milestone". TimesNow. 6 February 2023. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  111. ^ Negi, Manjeet. "INS Vikrant receives original bell as gift from retired vice chief of Indian Navy". msn. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  112. ^ "CHAPTER II: PERFORMANCE AUDIT ON CONSTRUCTION OF INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT CARRIER - page 39" (PDF). Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. Government of India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 July 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  113. ^ Unnithan, Sandeep (18 February 2009). "Keel laying of indigenous aircraft carrier next week". Indiatoday. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  114. ^ Sharma, Suman (7 October 2010). "Indigenous Aircraft Carrier's nucleus ready". Dnaindia.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  115. ^ Sen, Sudhi Ranjan (20 November 2012). "Indian aircraft carrier: More costly, already delayed". Ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  116. ^ Anandan, S. (12 March 2011). "Indigenous aircraft carrier a year behind schedule". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  117. ^ "Delay in supply of equipment from Russia affected delivery of India's aircraft carrier". Defence Star. 14 February 2020.
  118. ^ "Delivery date of Indian Navy Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant once again delayed". Navy Recognition. 25 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  119. ^ Lendon, Brad; Sud, Vedika; Mitra, Esha; Gupta, Swati (2 September 2022). "INS Vikrant: India's first homegrown aircraft carrier puts it among world's naval elites - CNN". CNN. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  120. ^ Som, Vishnu; Mitra, Chandrajit (2 September 2022). "INS Vikrant, "City on the Move": 18 Floors, 1,600 Crew, 16-Bed Hospital". ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  121. ^ "Inside India's newly-commissioned aircraft carrier". BBC News. 1 September 2022. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  122. ^ Raghuvanshi, Vivek (7 February 2023). "India successfully lands light combat aircraft, MiG-29K on carrier". Defense News.
  123. ^ "Watch: Carrier INS Vikrant Crosses Milestone With First Jet Landing On Deck". NDTV.com. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  124. ^ "COMBINED OPERATIONS OF INS VIKRAMADITYA AND INS VIKRANT". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  125. ^ Sharma, Ritu (16 November 2023). "Indian Navy's Indigenous Aircraft Carrier – INS Vikrant - Achieves Full Operational Status; India Joins 'Elite Club' Of Nations". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  126. ^ "Naval exercise Milan comes to a close aboard INS Vikrant in Vishakapatnam". India Today. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  127. ^ Menon, Adithya Krishna (10 March 2024). "Indian Navy Conducts Dual Carrier Operations". Naval News. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  128. ^ Bose, Mrityunjay. "Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant joins Western Fleet". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  129. ^ Deshpande, Smruti (20 September 2024). "Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant joins Navy's Western Fleet, ready for deployment". ThePrint. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  130. ^ @IN_WNC (20 September 2024). "#INSVikrant, India's indigenous aircraft carrier, joined the @IN_WesternFleet, in a significant enhancement to the maritime power and reach of the #IndianNavy's 'Sword Arm'..." (Tweet). Retrieved 21 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  131. ^ Bhattacharjee, Sumit (4 December 2021). "Eastern Fleet will have Carrier Battle Group: Vice Admiral". The Hindu.
  132. ^ "President Droupadi Murmu witnesses Indian Navy operations onboard INS Vikrant". The Times of India. 7 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  133. ^ "President Murmu witnesses Indian Navy's demonstration on INS Vikrant". India Today. 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  134. ^ @ANI (7 November 2024). "Indian Navy today showcased six of its conventional submarines at the capability demonstration to President Draupadi Murmu during her visit to the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at sea..." (Tweet). Retrieved 8 November 2024 – via Twitter.
  135. ^ Som, Vishnu (15 August 2021). "Vikrant, First Made-In-India Aircraft Carrier, Not A Liability: Navy". www.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  136. ^ @IN_R11Vikrant (31 December 2023). "Vikrant witnessed a change of helm with Capt Birendra S Bains, VSM assuming command from Capt Vidhyadhar Harke, VSM in an impressive change of command Divisions on-board" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  137. ^ "Navy to commission 'vigilant', 'valiant' INS Visakhapatnam in Mumbai today". Hindustan Times. 21 November 2021.
[edit]