Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Vikrant returned after five-day sea trial to test the performance of the 40,000-tonne warship.
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The warship will operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters. It has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers (Picture source: Indian MoD)
The Indian Navy said that the system parametres proved satisfactory during the trials. The ship's performance, including hull, main propulsion, Power Generation and Distribution (PGD) and auxiliary equipment were tested during the exercise.
The trials were reviewed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command. A "historic moment for the country", said Vice Admiral AK Chawla about the successful completion of the trial.
“The carrier would continue to undergo series of sea trials to prove all equipment and systems prior to handing over the vessel to the Indian Navy,” an Indian Navy statement said.
Delivery of Vikrant is being targeted to coincide with celebrations to commemorate 75th anniversary of India’s independence". With the delivery of IAC, India would join a select group of nations with the capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.
The INS Vikrant has a length of 262 m, a wide of 62 m, and a displacement of 39,000 tons and she features a STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) configuration with a ski-jump.
The aircraft carrier will be able to operate 36 to 40 aircraft including 26 Russian-made MiG-29K, a Russian-made supersonic carrier-based fighter.
The INS Vikrant is powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines and two Elecon COGAG gearbox. She can reach a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) with a maximum cruising range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi). This aircraft carrier has a crew of 1,645 sailors including 196 officers.
