Indian Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ to be Commissioned in 2022

India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ will be commissioned in first half 2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said after reviewing construction work on the carrier at the Cochin Shipyard today.

“Reviewed first-hand the ongoing work on the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, which is India's pride. The IAC has made significant progress. Commissioning of the IAC next year will be a befitting tribute to 75 years of India's independence,” Rajnath Singh tweeted today.

Raksha Mantri (defense minister) Rajnath Singh visited the construction site (of the indigenous aircraft carrier) and was briefed about the successful Basin Trials completed during November 2020. He was also apprised of the progress achieved on integration of a number of navigational, communication and operational systems since then, as it prepares for its maiden Contractor Sea Trials (CST) which is expected in the forthcoming months, an official release said.

The defence minister stated that IAC has nearly 75 per cent indigenous content - from design to steel used in construction to key weapons and sensors.

The ship shall operate MiG-29K fighter aircraft, Kamov-31 Air Early Warning Helicopters, the soon to be inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter and the indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters, the release later added.

The IAC will be commissioned as INS Vikrant in the first half of 2022, which would be the most potent sea-based asset.

It would offer an incomparable military instrument with its ability to project Air Power over long distances, including Air Interdiction, Anti-Surface Warfare, offensive and defensive Counter-Air, Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare and Airborne Early Warning.