PM Modi commissions indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, terms it symbol of India’s growth and prowess
- ‘INS Vikrant is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of 21st century India’.
- INS Vikrant is a symbol of indigenous potential, indigenous resources and indigenous skills.
- Marking a departure from the colonial past, PM unveiled the new Naval Ensign, dedicates the Ensign to Chhatrapati Shivaji.
- Defence Minister terms INS Vikrant a glowing symbol of an aspirational & self-reliant New India.
- INS Vikrant moves to Mumbai for integration with the Western Naval Command.
Cochin. Showcasing the country’s growing prowess of indigenous manufacturing and a major milestone in the path towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on September 2.
During the event, he also unveiled the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past, and dedicated it to Chhatrapati Shivaji, a 17th century ruler of what is now India’s western state of Maharashtra. Shivaji is credited with raising India’s first viable naval force that has now transformed into the Indian Navy
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said on the coast of Kerala, every Indian is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. This event being held on the INS Vikrant is a tribute to the rising spirits of India on the world horizon, and the manifestation of the dreams of the freedom fighters who had envisioned a capable and strong India.
Observed the Prime Minister: “Vikrant is huge, massive, and vast. Vikrant is distinguished, Vikrant is also special. Vikrant is not just a warship. This is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of India in the 21st century. If the goals are distant, the journeys are long, the ocean and the challenges are endless – then India’s answer is Vikrant. The incomparable Amrit of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is Vikrant. Vikrant is a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant.”
After commissioning, INS Vikrant has moved to Mumbai for integration with the Western Naval Command headquartered there under the Commander in Chief, WNC, Vice Admiral Ajeya Bahadur Singh. He was the first to ceremonially board the 45,000 tonne warship carrying its complement of Mig 29K fighters.
Commenting on the new mood of the nation, the Prime said, “today, India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with a new confidence, and has created a new confidence in the country.” He acknowledged and praised the contribution of the Navy, engineers of Cochin Shipyard, scientists and specially the workers who executed the project. He also noted the happy and auspicious occasion of Onam that is adding even more happiness to the occasion.
Indigenous Steel
The steel installed in its airbase is also indigenous, developed by DRDO scientists and produced by Indian companies, he pointed out, adding the Carrier is like a floating city with sufficient power to electricity 5,000 households.
Indian Navy’s New Flag
Talking about the Indian Maritime tradition and naval capabilities, he recalled that Shivaji Maharaj had built a formidable navy and when the British came to India, they used to be intimidated by the power of Indian ships. So they decided to break the back of India’s maritime power. History is witness to how strict restrictions were imposed on Indian ships and merchants by enacting a law in the British Parliament at that time.
The Prime Minister noted that on the historic date of 2 September 2022, India has taken off a trace of slavery, with the Indian Navy getting a new flag in Indian Navy’s new Colours.
The White Ensign identified nation-wide with the Navy now has two main constituents – the National Flag in the upper left canton, and a navy blue-gold octagon at the centre of the fly side (away from the staff). The octagon is with twin golden octagonal borders encompassing the golden National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka – underscribed with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in blue Devnagri script) resting atop an anchor; and superimposed on a shield.
Women Onboard
Prime Minister Modi remarked that when Vikrant descends to protect our maritime zone, many women soldiers of the Navy will also be stationed there.
With the immense power of the ocean, boundless female power, it is becoming the lofty identity of the new India, now that the Indian Navy has decided to open all its branches for women. The restrictions that were there are now being removed. Just as there are no boundaries for the capable waves, there will be no boundaries or restrictions for the daughters of India.
Geostrategic Situation
Commenting on the changing geostrategic situation, he said in the past, security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean were long ignored. But, today this area is a major defence priority of the country for us. “That is why we are working in every direction, from increasing the budget for the Navy to increasing its capability.” A strong India will help pave the way for a peaceful and safe world.
In his address, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said INS Vikrant exemplified the Government’s strong resolve to ensure the safety and security of the nation in the next 25 years.
“INS Vikrant is a glowing symbol of an aspirational and self-reliant ‘New India’. It is an icon of pride, power and resolve of the Nation. Its commissioning is an unprecedented achievement in the path of building indigenous warships. Indian Navy’s tradition is ‘old ships never die’. This new avatar of Vikrant, which played a stellar role in the 1971 war, is a humble tribute to our freedom fighters and brave soldiers.”
He added that INS Vikrant is an assurance to the friendly foreign countries that India is fully capable of meeting the collective security needs of the region. “We believe in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Our efforts in this regard are guided by ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) as envisioned by the Prime Minister.”
Rajnath Singh listed out a series of steps taken by Ministry of Defence to achieve this objective. “These include setting up of defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; issuance of three positive indigenisation lists; earmarking of 68 per cent of the capital procurement budget for domestic industry; Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 and increase in FDI limit.”
He said, the aim is ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ and exports of more than $400 billion in the last year is a proof of this vision.
“As India is moving rapidly towards a $5 trillion economy, our share in global trade will increase in the coming times. If the share will increase, a large part of it will inevitably be through maritime routes. In such a situation, INS Vikrant will prove to be crucial to safeguard our security and economic interests.”
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar voiced the Navy’s resolve for India@100 to become completely self-reliant by 2047, consisting of ‘Made in India’ ships, submarines, aircraft, unmanned vessels and systems and remain a ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future-Proof Force’.
Admiral Hari Kumar added that the Navy is determined to move forward on the path of five pledges – developed India, removing any sign of servility, pride in heritage, unity and fulfilling the duties – as envisioned by the Prime Minister.
He exhorted the Commanding Officer and crew of INS Vikrant to take forward the proud legacy of the erstwhile Vikrant which served the country for 36 glorious years and played a significant role in the 1971 war.
About INS Vikrant
INS Vikrant has been designed by Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. Vikrant has been built with state of the art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in India’s maritime history.
The 262.5 m long and 61.6 m wide Vikrant displaces 45,000 tonnes, with a maximum designed speed of 28 Knots and endurance of 7,500 nautical miles. The ship has around 2,200 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,600 including women officers and sailors. The carrier is designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operations, ship navigation and survivability. The carrier is equipped with the latest state of the art equipment and systems.
The ship is capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
Using the Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mode, INS Vikrant is equipped with a ski-jump for launching aircraft, and a set of arrester wires for their recovery onboard.
With 76 per cent indigenous content, construction of INS Vikrant has resulted in direct employment generation for over 2,000 employees of CSL. In addition, it has resulted in indirect employment generation for 12,500 employees for over 550 OEMs, sub-contractors, ancillary industries and over 100 MSMEs.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and senior civil & military officials of Ministry of Defence and CSL were among those present on the occasion.
