The impending commissioning of INS Vikrant on 02 Sep 2022 by the Prime Minister is steeped in significance. She is not just a re-incarnation of her illustrious predecessor but a multiple celebration of an India that is at the threshold of an exponential upward trajectory of self-reliance. But before that, a brief recap of her earlier avatar.
HMS Hercules, a 20,000 ton light carrier, the hull of which was laid at Vickers-Armstrong Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Britain in 1947 but was never commissioned into the Royal Navy, later found her way to India in 1957 and was commissioned as INS Vikrant in 1961. Her pennant number, R 11, will be inherited by the newborn Vikrant, come September. INS Vikrant taught the Indian Navy carrier aviation, right from helicopter operations to fixed wing fighter flying with all their associated intricacies, thrills and dangers. Alizes and Sea Hawks flew from her deck alongside Alouettes and Seakings as the Indian Navy picked up and perfected carrier operations. Towards the end of her life, she was retrofitted with a ski-jump to operate Sea Harriers as well.
The feather in Vikrant’s cap was the successful operations over Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar during the 1971 operations in the Bay of Bengal. The ‘mother’ as she was fondly called by those who flew from her deck, was given a fond farewell in 1997 – and after much debate and deliberation for almost another 20 years whether to convert her to a museum or to scrap her, she finally headed to the ship-breakers at Darukhana.
Coming now to the brand new Vikrant. Why is her commissioning so significant?
- Firstly, she catapults India into another league – of a handful of countries that have the capability of building an aircraft carrier. A fine tribute to our Indian Naval ship designers and a stamp of our design capability not just coming of age but acquiring a niche.
- Secondly, she is more than twice as large as her earlier avatar – close to 45000 tons, which gives it a far more potent capability.
- Thirdly, we have built her in very good time. From keel laying in 2009 to commissioning in 2022 is rather brisk going for a first carrier, by any standards. Much credit for this must go to Cochin Shipyard Ltd along with hundreds of other stakeholders.
- Fourthly, she emphatically proves our capability to integrate aircraft and systems from across the world from Russian, Indian and American aircraft, Russian aviation complex, American gas turbines, Israeli weapons and radars, Indian electronic warfare equipment, gun mounts and a plethora of others.
- Fifthly, and most importantly, she tells a compelling story of competence, capability and confidence. She is the poster-girl of an aspirational and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Here’s wishing Vikrant many decades of valiant service to the nation and victory in battle always, in keeping with her lofty motto ‘Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprdah’.
From its gigantic proportions to its engineering skill, its a moment of immense pride for not only Indian Navy but also for the entire nation! Kudos!
Starting early 1960s many young officers and sailors looked forward to a tenure on board this mighty Flag Ship of the Indian Navy.Many illustrious commanding officers rose to the highest ranks in the Service.Vikrant truly provided a lead role in the increasing combat force capability in the Indian Ocean and beyond.I was the Western Fleet Commader in 1997 when this Ship was decommissioned but we were certain even then that a new Vikrant will be constructed in India.I am happy and proud to see that the indigenisation which our Navy started in late 1950s has achieved this challenging project. More capability to the Indian Navy and best wishes to the men who sail on the new Vikrant.Hopefully we will soon see our Nation build the next generation aircraft Carrier.
Commissioning of IAC is indeed a milestone for the Indian Shipbuilding fraternity. From conceptualisation to delivery the entire effort was completely indigenous. All this was long before Atma Nirbhar Bharat was even conceived.
Let us hope now that the aircraft comes soon!
Atmanirbhar Bharat is a compelling slogan. Indian Navy started the journey from the 1960s. It is the coming of age of the concept and its pace of implementation that are important.
A blog which stitched together the aspirations of a nation celebrating #azadikaamritmahotsav2022
That’s how far we’ve come to have IAC1 christened INS Vikrant due for commissioning on 02 Sep!!
India 🇮🇳 is poised for a ” curtain raiser ” to its #atmanirbharbharatabhiyan with this spectacle which one will behold for time immemorial…
From GDPs of both countries to IAC1 vs QE the comparison is too close and Indian Navy will surely go past the inheritance soon…
Thanks for the share Admiral Sir… your posts enthuse many like me!!
#ShanoVaruna
The commissioning of Vikrant also beckons the golden period of Two Carrier Operations which were brief periods in all our previous years between the previous Vikrant Viraat and Vikramaditya . For once we truly stand poised for dedicated two carrier operations which will be an important facet of learning for the Indian Navy.
Sir, with the commissioning of the indigenous Aircraft carrier, we will be taking the most important step towards making the Indian Ocean as India’s Ocean.
It will indeed be a proud moment for all of us on 02 Sep 2022, when INS Vikrant, the first indigenously built Aircraft Carrier will be commissioned by the Prime Minister. My salute to each and everyone who have contributed to the success of this project. My best wishes to the the YOUNG LADY VIKRANT and her men!
A lovely article Dasu,
The Queen had died
Long live the Queen
From the youngest Alize pilot
Sir,
An apt curtain raiser for the historic moment when India will proudly display to world the capabilites of Indians to overcome any challenge. Vikrant was a legend and the ‘young lady’ will definitely live upto it. May Vikrant as the name suggests remains all powerful yet gracious for eons to come. Cheers to Atmanirbhar Bharat
A proud moment indeed for the Indian Navy and the nation sir. Couldn’t have been better timed. Hope it serves as a catalyst for many more daring and ambitious projects spearheaded by the Navy.
Indeed a proud moment for all of us sir.
Indeed a proud moment for all of us and your article is well written sir to give perspective to the audience. Shining example of the gritful Indian not be taken for granted and lightly.
The young lady is a manifestation if 45000 Tons of diplomacy. Kudos to the visionaries of the Indian Navy who planned for the carrier, the team of designers and M/s CSL. Indeed a crowning glory for all those who worked to make it happen. Indian Navy again has taken the lead in propelling the nation’s vision of Aatm Nirbhar Bharat. May Lord Varuna bestow his blessings upon the crew who will man and fight her. Wishing the young lady, fair winds, following seas and fathoms below her keel.
Sir, it will indeed be a proud moment for all Indians and especially those who have been part of the program. I wish this ship all the success and glory that her predecessor achieved.
Sir, befitting primer and good context for those uninitiated about the importance of aircraft carrier operations in a Blue Water Navy. Given the geostrategic location of the Indian Peninsula sitting astride the huge Indian Ocean, our commitment towards ensuring Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR), as also the unfolding geopolitical environment in the Indo-Pacific space, the commissioning of our first indigenous aircraft carrier couldn’t have been more perfectly timed.
When aspirations of nations transcend beyond reasonable boundaries, they willy-nilly disturb the equilibrium, both at land and at sea. Aircraft carriers are central to projecting power in our areas of interest in the Maritime Domain, and ensuring that the equilibrium is maintained.
The construction of the first indigenous aircraft carrier at CSL has surely been a learning experience for us as a nation, placing us in an elite league. We need to leverage on this just acquired expertise and consolidate it further with the construction of IAC 2.
May Vikrant in her new avatar take on from where the old Vikrant left, and amass more glory and success in the years ahead.
The legend Vikrant would be a feather in India’s Atmnirbhar Bharat mission. We Indians must feel proud of it.
Makes very interesting reading !
While the pennant number is an inspiration from the past the new Vikrant exemplifies faith in the abilities of our Atmanirbhar nation.
Vikrant in her previous avatar had a compelling story to tell. Her decisive contribution in 1971 Indo – Pak war is noteworthy. Building an aircraft carrier indigenously clearly showcases our ship-building prowess.
Cheers to Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited
Here is to the Mighty Vikrant. The Poster Girl , indeed , of a resurgent India. Pride , on many levels …