Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (INS) is an aircraft carrier owned by the Indian government; the ship was constructed wholly in India by Cochin Shipyard Limited in 2013. The ship owned the name ‘Vikrant’ as a tribute to India’sIndia’s first aircraft carrier. The word ‘Vikrant’ is derived from Sanskrit, meaning ‘Courageous’. The motto of INS Vikrant is ‘Jayema Saṁ Yudhi Spr̥dhaḥ’, literal meaning ‘I defeat those who fight against me.’ The ship’s keel was laid in 2009; the carrier was launched on 12 August 2013. The basin trial of the carrier was carried out in December 2022. The expenditure on the building of the ship is around RS 20,000 Crore.

Ten Facts about INS VIKRANT:

1) INS Vikrant is India’s first completely Indian-made aircraft carrier, the complete design and manufacturing of the aircraft carrier were done in India. Over 76 per cent of material grade steel is developed indigenously in India. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has supplied the DMR grade speciality steel. 

2) The carrier itself is the reflection of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission, revealed Prime Minister Modi. The ship’s launching marked India’s India’sIndia’s existence as a self-reliant nation.

3) The aircraft carrier weighs around 45,000 tons and is 262 meters long, which makes it the largest aircraft carrier in India.

4) INS Vikrant carries about 36 different aircraft, including MH-60R multi-role helicopters, MIG-29k fighter, and Kamov-31, along with indigenously built Light Combat Aircrafts and Advanced Light Helicopters.

5) India has entered the list of countries which can build their aircraft carriers indigenously, which exhibits the Naval Power of India globally. 

6) The ship has around 18 floors, 14 decks, and 2,300 compartments. INS Vikrant is also equipped with 16 hospital beds and 250 tankers of fuel. INS Vikrant can serve 1,700 crew members.

7) four MW gas Turbine engines power INS Vikrant. The Aircraft can generate enough electrical power for a small town. Aircraft can travel at the speed of 28 knots and can potentially cover 7 thousand 500 nautical miles in a single voyage.

8) INS Vikrant is equipped with high-tech missiles, namely, BrahMos missile, Barak 8 missile, Otobreda cannon and AK 630 CIWS for retaliating against the enemies.

9) INS Vikrant has derived its name from its predecessor, INS Vikrant, Which served India and played a major role in the 1971 war. Strategically INS Vikrant plays a significant role in securing India, as the new warship is defending the eastern and western seaboard; this would eventually lead to the expansion of maritime presence.

10) Industrial giants such as Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Engineers Limited (GRSE), Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Larsen & Toubro, Keltron, Wartsila India Kirloskar, and over 95 plus MSMEs have contributed in supplying heavy machinery in the manufacturing of INS Vikrant.

The launching of INS Vikrant marks the emergence of Indian Naval power as a superpower globally; we wish our nation to keep growing and shining brighter like this.