Indian Navy Commissions INS Vikrant Aircraft Carrier: All You Need To Know About IAC-1 & Old Vikrant

The Indian Navy was founded on 26 January 1950 and is currently the seventh largest in the world and boasts over 67,000 active personnel and 75,000 reserve personnel. With over 150 ships, and 300 aircraft, the Indian Navy certainly is a force to contend with.

India, Its Aircraft Carriers & The Legendary INS Vikrant

Aircraft carriers play a major role in how any Navy projects its power and the Indian Navy knows this first hand. The Indian Navy was founded in 1950 and the top brass knew the importance of aircraft carriers through lessons learned from World War II.

Almost immediately, the top brass in the Navy began their quest for an aircraft carrier. During World War II, the Royal Navy began constructing an aircraft carrier called the HMS Hercules. It was laid down in 1943 and was intended to help in the war efforts. However, the war ended in 1945, and the construction of HMS Hercules was suspended in 1946.

In 1947, the ship was moved to Gare Loch and laid up in storage. India gained independence in the same year and three years later, the Indian Navy was formed. Finally, in 1957, the Indian Navy purchased the ship and it was then towed to Belfast for construction to be completed. A few modifications were made to the ship and finally, the ship was commissioned by the Indian Navy in 1961.

It was named INS Vikrant, with the word Vikrant being derived from the Sanskrit word Vikranta which means courageous or bold. The INS Vikrant is probably the most well-known ship in the Indian Navy and it rose to fame for its acts during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

The INS Vikrant (R11) was responsible for the naval blockade of the Pakistani Navy and aircraft from INS Vikrant were responsible for bombing important military targets in erstwhile East Pakistan. Its acts during the war and the years after that made the R11 a legend in various naval circles around the world.

In honour of the legendary INS Vikrant, India's first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier has also been named INS Vikrant.

INS Vikrant (IAC-1)

The Indian Navy placed the order for IAC-1 in 2004 and Cochin Shipyard Limited was chosen as its builder. It was laid down on 18 February 2009 and launched on 12 August 2013. It has now been commissioned. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the aircraft carrier and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also present on the occasion.

The ship is 262 metres long and 62 metres wide while it stands as tall as an 18-storeyed building. The INS Vikrant can accommodate 1,600 crew and 30 aircraft. Initially, the INS Vikrant will carry MiG-29K fighter aircraft and an assortment of the Kamov Ka-31 and Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters for AEW&C and ASW roles. Two aircraft lifts help transport the aircraft from the hangar to the flight deck and back.

More aircraft are being considered to be aboard the INS Vikrant and the upcoming INS Vishal and a requirement for the same has been put out to multiple aircraft manufacturers across the globe. Commodore Vidhyadhar Harke is the first Commanding Officer of the INS Vikrant.

On the occasion of the commissioning of the INS Vikrant, the new Ensign of the Indian Navy was also revealed. The new Naval Ensign consists of the national flag and a blur octagon with the national emblem atop an anchor and it also features the Navy's motto 'Sam No Varuna,' which is a Vedic mantra invoking the god of the seas.

Thoughts On INS Vikrant Being Commissioned

The older INS Vikrant was a legendary ship and the IAC-1 that gets the same name is expected to carry forward the same legacy. It is certainly a majestic ship and is the cause of pride for Indians. It has also placed India on the pedestal as one of the few countries capable of producing aircraft carriers.