GOA: President Droupadi Murmu is set to board the Indian Navy's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, on Thursday to witness a demonstration of 'Naval Operations' at sea. The scheduled exercises include complex surface manoeuvres, combat actions, submarine drills, and an air power display featuring fighter jets and helicopters.

A Ceremonial Welcome at INS Hansa
The President will be received at INS Hansa, the naval air station in Goa, by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. Upon arrival, she will receive a Ceremonial Guard of Honour from 150 naval personnel before embarking on INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa.

INS Vikrant: A Tribute to India’s Naval Legacy
INS Vikrant, named to honour its historic predecessor from the 1971 war, is the largest warship ever built in India, with 76% indigenous content. The vessel’s machinery and equipment have been developed by major Indian companies and over 100 MSMEs. INS Vikrant was officially commissioned in September 2022.

Designed and Built by Indian Expertise
The Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) designed INS Vikrant, while Cochin Shipyard Limited, a public sector entity under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, handled its construction. Equipped with state-of-the-art automation, the warship stretches 262.5 meters in length and 61.6 meters in width, with a displacement of about 43,000 tonnes.

Endurance and Capacity
INS Vikrant boasts an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles and contains around 2,200 compartments, allowing for a crew of approximately 1,600, including women officers and sailors. Advanced automation is integrated into its machinery operations, navigation, and survivability systems.

An Impressive Air Wing
This advanced warship can support an air wing of up to 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, and domestically developed Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy).

Indian Navy’s Two Aircraft Carriers
India’s Navy, the first in Asia to operate an aircraft carrier, now operates two. Alongside INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy has the formidable INS Vikramaditya, a 44,500-tonne carrier acquired from Russia in 2013. This modified Kiev-class carrier, named after Emperor Vikramaditya, stands as a 20-storey-high vessel with 22 decks and the capacity to carry over 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K jets and Kamov helicopters.

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