The name INS Vikrant resonates deeply within India’s maritime history and its modern naval ambitions. It represents not just one, but two crucial aircraft carriers that have served, and continue to serve, the Indian Navy. From the valiant hero of the 1971 war to the cutting-edge symbol of self-reliance today, INS Vikrant embodies courage, technological prowess, and India’s strategic reach as a major maritime power. Understanding INS Vikrant requires looking at both its storied past and its powerful present.
The Legacy Carrier: INS Vikrant (R11) – India’s First Sentinel
India’s journey with aircraft carriers began with the original INS Vikrant (pennant number R11).
- Origins: Laid down during World War II as HMS Hercules for the British Royal Navy, construction was halted post-war. India purchased the incomplete Majestic-class carrier in 1957.
- Commissioning: Completed by Harland & Wolff in Belfast, she was commissioned into the Indian Navy on March 4, 1961, becoming its first aircraft carrier. The name “Vikrant” translates from Sanskrit as “courageous” or “stepping beyond.”
- Specifications: Displacing around 19,500 tonnes (deep load) and measuring roughly 210 meters (700 ft) in length, she initially operated aircraft like the Hawker Sea Hawk and Breguet Alizé using a catapult system, later modified with a ski-jump for Sea Harriers.
- Defining Moment (1971 War): Despite concerns about its age even then, INS Vikrant played a pivotal role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Deployed with the Eastern Fleet, its aircraft enforced a crucial naval blockade of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), conducting numerous sorties against targets in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong, significantly contributing to India’s victory.
- Later Service & Decommissioning: After distinguished service, including upgrades to handle newer aircraft, the aging carrier was decommissioned on January 31, 1997. It served as a popular museum ship in Mumbai until 2012 before being scrapped in 2014, ending an era but leaving an indelible legacy.
A New Dawn: INS Vikrant (IAC-1) – India’s Indigenous Triumph
Carrying forward the legacy and the motto “Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprudhah” (“I defeat those who dare to challenge me”), the new INS Vikrant (pennant number R11) marks a monumental achievement for India.
Conception and Construction – A ‘Make in India’ Marvel
- Project Genesis: Formally approved in 2003 under Project 71 (initially termed Air Defence Ship – ADS, later Indigenous Aircraft Carrier – IAC-1), the goal was to design and build a modern aircraft carrier domestically.
- Built in India: Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector undertaking, this was a landmark project showcasing India’s shipbuilding capabilities. The keel was laid in February 2009.
- Indigenous Content: It boasts approximately 76% indigenous content, involving numerous Indian companies (public and private, including MSMEs) in supplying steel (special DMR 249A grade), systems, and components, making it a true symbol of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiatives.
- Launch & Commissioning: The carrier was floated out in December 2011, launched in August 2013, and formally commissioned into the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 2, 2022.
Specifications and Capabilities
The modern INS Vikrant is a formidable platform:
- Type: Aircraft Carrier with STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration, featuring a ski-jump.
- Displacement: Approximately 43,000-45,000 tonnes.
- Dimensions: Length: 262 meters (860 ft), Beam: 62 meters (203 ft).
- Propulsion: Powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines in a COGAG arrangement.
- Speed & Range: Top speed of around 28 knots (52 km/h), endurance of about 7,500-8,000 nautical miles (approx. 15,000 km) at cruising speed (18 knots).
- Aircraft Complement: Designed to operate an air wing of up to 30 aircraft, including:
- Fighter Jets: Mikoyan MiG-29K (currently operational). Trials for Rafale M and the indigenous TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter) are relevant for future operations.
- Helicopters: Kamov Ka-31 (Airborne Early Warning), MH-60R ‘Romeo’ (Multi-Role/Anti-Submarine), HAL Dhruv (Utility).
- Crew: Accommodation for around 1,600-1,700 personnel, including dedicated facilities for women officers and sailors. The ship features 2,300 compartments.
- Systems: Equipped with advanced systems like the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA multi-function radar, RAN-40L L-band air surveillance radar, Barak 8 surface-to-air missile systems (VLS), OTO Melara 76mm guns, AK-630 CIWS, and sophisticated Combat Management System (CMS) and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
- Facilities: Includes a 16-bed hospital complex with modular operation theatre, ICU, dental clinic, and advanced medical equipment. Powerful generators onboard can reportedly light up a small city.
Strategic Significance: Why INS Vikrant Matters
The commissioning and operationalization of the new INS Vikrant hold immense strategic importance for India:
- Power Projection: As a mobile sovereign airfield, it significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s ability to project power far from Indian shores, safeguarding maritime interests and sea lines of communication.
- Maritime Security: Crucial for dominance in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region (IOR), countering growing regional presences and ensuring stability.
- Blue-Water Navy: Solidifies India’s status as a ‘Blue Water Navy’ – one capable of sustained operations across deep oceans.
- Two-Carrier Capability: Allows India to operate two Carrier Battle Groups (CBGs) – one for each seaboard (Western and Eastern) – ensuring continuous carrier availability even when one is under maintenance. This was demonstrated in dual-carrier operations with INS Vikramaditya in June 2023.
- Technological Self-Reliance: Demonstrates India’s capability to design and build complex warships, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and boosting indigenous defence manufacturing.
- National Pride: Serves as a powerful symbol of India’s growing industrial and military might on the global stage.
Current Status and Future Outlook (As of April 2025)
- Operational Status: INS Vikrant achieved fully operational status in late 2023 (confirmed by naval officials in November/December 2023 and early 2024), following the completion of extensive sea trials, aircraft flight trials (including night landings of MiG-29K), and fleet integration exercises.
- Deployment: The carrier is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and is based at the strategic naval base INS Kadamba in Karwar, Karnataka. Recent reports (April 2025) indicate its deployment in the Arabian Sea, highlighting its operational readiness and role in maintaining regional maritime security.
- Future: The carrier is set to be a cornerstone of Indian naval power for decades. Future developments include the potential integration of new aircraft like the Rafale M or the indigenous TEDBF. Discussions and proposals for a potential third aircraft carrier (IAC-2, possibly named INS Vishal) with potentially larger displacement and different capabilities continue, aiming to further bolster India’s maritime dominance.
Conclusion
From the battle-hardened veteran of 1971 to the state-of-the-art indigenous marvel of the 21st century, INS Vikrant remains a name synonymous with the Indian Navy’s strength and India’s maritime aspirations. The original R11 laid the foundation, proving the strategic value of carrier power, while the current IAC-1 builds upon that legacy, showcasing India’s technological leap and commitment to self-reliance in defence. As INS Vikrant patrols the oceans, it carries not just aircraft, but the nation’s ambition to be a secure, influential, and stabilizing force in the global maritime domain.
