INS Vikrant Commissioned: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that India’s first and indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is not only an expression of New India but an assurance of greater capabilities for national security. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday commissioned INS Vikrant, joining a select league of countries with domestic capability to develop such large ships.
Jaishankar, who is here on a three-day visit to the UAE, said India has been a reliable first responder and a growing contributor to global mangoes.
“As a maritime nation, Sagar’s vision shapes India’s vision. We have been a trusted first responder and a growing contributor to the global commons. INS Vikrant is not only an expression of a new India, but greater capabilities for national security.” There is assurance of global good,” Jaishankar said in a tweet.
Modi unveiled a plaque to enlist INS Vikrant, named after its predecessor, which played a key role in the Navy in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
With the joining of Vikrant, India joins a select club of countries such as the US, UK, Russia, China and France with the unique capability to design and build an aircraft carrier indigenously.
The 262 m long and 62 m wide carrier displaces approximately 43,000 t when fully loaded, with a maximum design speed of 28 knots with an endurance of 7500 Nm.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore, it has state-of-the-art features and can operate an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft, including a MiG-29K fighter jet, apart from domestically manufactured advanced light helicopters.
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