INS Vikrant, India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, Making Its Way To Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo is gearing up for a historic moment as INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, arrives on Sri Lankan shores to participate in the International Fleet Review marking the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy.

This isn’t just a ship docking—it’s a statement of power, pride, and partnership.

Commissioned on 2 September 2022 by the rime Minister of India, INS Vikrant is the largest warship ever built in the country, a marvel of engineering and a testament to the ‘Make in India’ vision.

Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the carrier embodies India’s leap toward self-reliance in defence.

Stretching 262.5 metres in length, weighing 45,000 tonnes, and powered by four gas turbines generating 88 MW, INS Vikrant can cruise at 28 knots.

The carrier can host up to 30 aircraft, including MiG 29K fighter jets, MiG 29 KUB, Chetak, Kamov 31, MH 60R helicopters and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).

The ship generates enough electricity to power nearly 5,000 households, with internal wiring long enough to stretch from Kochi to Kashi.

The ship accommodates around 1,600 personnel, including women officers and sailors, and contains approximately 2,200 compartments.

Its STOBAR system enables short take-offs and arrested landings, making it a formidable force on the seas.

But Vikrant is more than steel and firepower—it’s a story of ambition. With 76% indigenous content, contributions from 550 OEMs, and the involvement of 100 MSMEs, the project generated employment for nearly 14,500 people.

From its keel laid in 2009, launch in 2013, trials in 2021, to commissioning in 2022, Vikrant’s journey mirrors India’s rise as a maritime power.

The name Vikrant carries legacy. Its predecessor, INS Vikrant (R11), played a decisive role in the 1971 Indo-Pak War and the Goa Liberation, earning a place in naval history.