INS VIKRANT

3. Composition of INS Vikrant

• Despite delays, INS Vikrant stands as an engineering marvel with impressive specifications. The vessel boasts a total area exceeding 12,450 m2, equivalent to about two and a half hockey fields. Measuring 262 meters in length and 62 meters in width, it is propelled by four General Electric LM2500 engines generating 88 MW of power, enabling a maximum speed of 28 knots and an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles.
• Constructed at an approximate cost of ₹20,000 crore with 76% indigenous content, INS Vikrant comprises around 2,200 compartments to accommodate a crew of about 1,600 personnel, including specialized cabins for women officers and sailors.
• The vessel features two galleys that cater to all onboard, preparing up to 4,500-5,000 meals daily. Operations in the galleys commence at 3 am every morning and continue for almost 20 hours a day. State-of-the-art automatic chapati-making machines, capable of producing 6,000 chapatis per meal, as well as large cooking boilers for preparing 4,000 kgs of rice, dal, vegetables, and other dishes, are among the onboard facilities.
• Additionally, the vessel is equipped with combi-steamers, a dosa machine, and ovens for preparing idlis, dosas, bread, and other bakery items to cater to a diverse menu.
• Highlighting the significant economic impact of shipbuilding, the Economic Survey 2022-23 noted that INS Vikrant alone engaged approximately 500 MSMEs, 12,000 employees from ancillary industries, and 2,000 CSL employees, emphasizing the vessel's role in generating employment and fostering economic growth.

4. Capabilities of INS Vikrant

• INS Vikrant possesses formidable capabilities, allowing it to operate an air wing comprising 30 aircraft. This includes MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, as well as indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy). Utilizing the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) method, the carrier launches and recovers aircraft, facilitated by a ski-jump for launching and three 'arrester wires' for recovery.
• Each day, approximately 200 personnel prepare the flight deck for flying operations, ensuring cleanliness and briefing pilots for missions. Upon completion of missions, aircraft are safely guided back to the ship for precision landings, aided by an independent lighting system for bad weather and night operations.
• The carrier's fighters utilize arresting gear wires on the flight deck to swiftly halt their landing, with speeds exceeding 250 kmph stopped within a mere 90 meters in just 2-3 seconds.
• INS Vikrant boasts larger deck space and hallways compared to previous carriers like Vikramaditya, enhancing operational efficiency. Currently, India is in negotiations with France for the purchase of 26 Rafale-M carrier jets due to the limited availability of MiG-29Ks, while simultaneously developing an indigenous twin-engine deck-based fighter and receiving the indigenous fighter by around 2034.
• While INS Vikrant marks India's first domestically built carrier, the country has a rich history of carrier operations, including the erstwhile Vikrant, purchased from the U.K. in 1961, and the INS Viraat, formerly HMS Hermes, commissioned in 1987. INS Vikramaditya, procured from Russia and commissioned in 2013, serves as India's third carrier.

5. Future Plans After INS Vikrant

• The critical role of aircraft carriers in maritime operations, particularly in light of the fragile security situation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and India's position as the largest resident naval power.
• The importance of maintaining a robust Navy, with aircraft carriers playing a pivotal role in projecting combat power ashore and ensuring credible presence and preparedness across both the Western and Eastern seaboard.
• In line with this strategic vision, the Navy has proposed the construction of a second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-II), akin to INS Vikrant. The proposal, cleared by the Defence Procurement Board in September, awaits approval by the Defence Acquisition Council, expected to be addressed post-elections.
• The IAC-II, displacing 45,000 tonnes, will feature modifications and incorporate newer technologies compared to its predecessor, with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) slated to oversee its manufacture.
• The construction timeline of eight to 10 years for the new carrier, provided that the basic design, engines, and propulsion remain unchanged. Plans for a larger 65,000-tonne carrier have been shelved due to technological complexities and associated costs and timelines.
• While often referred to as India's third aircraft carrier, the IAC-II primarily serves as a timely replacement for INS Vikramaditya. The necessity of maintaining a force structure around three carriers, with two at sea and one undergoing maintenance.
• Any delay in decision-making risks jeopardizing India's expertise in carrier building and operations, akin to the submarine debacle of the 1980s.
• The global interest in carriers continues to grow, with countries like the U.S., U.K., France, Russia, and Japan investing in carrier programs of varying sizes and capabilities. China, in particular, has made unprecedented strides in carrier development, with plans for a fourth aircraft carrier underway.
• Amidst debates surrounding carriers versus submarines, each platform offers distinct advantages in naval warfare, highlighting the enduring relevance of carrier aviation in shaping future conflicts.