The INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, has officially attained full operational status following the successful completion of its final operational clearance earlier this year. Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, announced this significant milestone during a media interaction aboard the naval ship INS Shardul in Kochi on December 2.
Vice Admiral Srinivas stated that the completion of various trials and the integration with the fleet mark a new era for the aircraft carrier. “INS Vikrant is now fully operational and is serving under the Western Fleet,” he confirmed. He described the carrier as a source of national pride for both the country and the Navy, emphasizing its robust capability to undertake all operational commitments expected of the Indian Navy.
Commissioned in 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, INS Vikrant is strategically stationed within the Western Naval Command, ready to conduct an array of naval assignments. The design of the carrier is a product of the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, and it was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, marking a significant achievement as the largest ship ever constructed in India’s naval history.
The aircraft carrier is equipped with cutting-edge automation technologies and features approximately 2,200 compartments, which can accommodate a crew of around 1,600 personnel, inclusive of women officers and sailors. Furthermore, INS Vikrant is designed to operate a diverse array of air assets, including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, as well as indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) tailored for naval operations.
This development underscores India’s growing capabilities in indigenous maritime defense and reflects the nation’s commitment to enhancing its naval strength and operational readiness on the global stage.
