Vikrant Aircraft carrier (India)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 2023-01-22

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The INS Vikrant is the first India's indigenous aircraft carrier. It is also the largest warship ever built in India. Development of such a complex warship signifies a high degree of India's self-reliance in this field. Currently only four other countries in the world, including United States, United Kingdom, France and Russia are capable of construction aircraft carriers of this size.

   Work started on this ship in 2005. Originally it was planned to enter service with the Indian Navy in 2014. However there were constant delays in the construction. Indigenous Indian weapon programs are typically plagued with setbacks and delays due to technical difficulties, funding problems, procurement problems and corruption. The INS Vikrant aircraft carrier was no exception. However construction was completed and it passed the sea trials. It was commissioned with the Indian Navy in 2022. The new aircraft carrier operates alongside the INS Vikramaditya, a former Soviet Kiev class aircraft carrier, that has been refitted and was commission with the Indian Navy in 2014. So currently Indian Navy operates two large modern aircraft carriers. The second aircraft carrier of the same class was also planned, but in 2022 these plans were put on hold due to funding concerns.

   The Vikrant has broadly similar capabilities as the INS Vikramaditya. It can carry up to 36 aircraft and helicopters. The hangar accomodates a total of 17 aircraft and helicopters, while remaining 19 can be stored on the flight deck. There are two elevators. The Vikrant is fitted with sky jump and will have to take-off runways.

   It has been reported that main weapon of the Vikrant will be its fighter aircraft. It will carry a mix of Russian MiG-29K and Indian carrier-borne version of the HAL Tejas and, possibly, Sea Harrier. The multi-role MiG-29K will be the primary air superiority and ground attack aircraft.

   The ship will also carry Russian Ka-31 early warning helicopters, Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters, HAL Dhruv utility helicopters, and, possibly helicopters of other types.

   Defensive weapons of the Vikrant will include Israeli long-range air defense missiles. It is reported that two 16-cell vertical launch systems will be installed. Also the ship will be fitted with Russian AK-630 close-in weapon systems. Some sources report that the ship will also have four 76 mm naval guns.

   This aircraft carrier has conventional propulsion. It is powered by four LM 2500 gas turbines, generating 88 MW of power and driving two shafts. This gives a maximum speed of 28 knots (52 km). The INS Vikrant havs a range of around 8 000 nautical miles (15 000 km).

   This aircraft carrier is operated by a crew of 1 560, including 160 officers and 1 400 sailors.

   Price of the newly-built INS Vikrant is around $7 billion while its planes would cost another $5-$8 billion. India planned to construct the second aircraft carrier of the same class. However these plans were put on hold due to funding concerns.