Sea Trials Commence for India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’

India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) named ‘Vikrant’ today embarked on its maiden sea-trial marking an important event in Indian shipbuilding.

During the maiden sailing, ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, PGD and auxiliary equipment would be closely watched.

The IAC Vikrant can carry a complement of MiG-29 K aircraft and KA-31 naval early warning helicopters. It can also host several other aircraft including India’s recently acquired Sikorsky MH-60R Helicopters. Locally made LCA Naval aircraft could also operate from the deck of the Vikrant.

The IAC is 262 m long, 62 m at the widest part and height of 59 m including the superstructure. There are 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure. The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.

Designed by Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design(DND) is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited(CSL) with 76% local content.This is the maiden attempt of the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier.

The ‘Vikrant’ has a top speed of around 28 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles. The ship can accommodate an assortment of fixed wing and rotary aircraft.

Most of the ship construction activities have been completed and the ship has entered the trials phase. Readiness of ship’s Propulsion and Power Generation equipment/ systems was tested in harbour as part of Basin Trials in Nov 20.

Progress of construction of the Carrier was reviewed by defense minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to the ship on 25 Jun 21.