Why this matters now
INS Vikrant is tested for: project sanction 2002 (Rs 3,261 crore, ballooned to Rs 20,000 cr); 28 February 2009 keel laid; 2 September 2022 commissioning by PM Modi at Kochi; ushered India into 4-nation club (US, UK, China, France build carriers) able to build a carrier; STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) ski-jump design; 30 aircraft capacity; 88% indigenous content; predecessor name R11 INS Vikrant (1961-97 ex-HMS Hercules); future IAC-2 INS Vishal under planning.
History (2002-2022)
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Project Sea Bird/Project 71 conceptualised after decommissioning of INS Vikrant (R11) plans. |
| 2002 | Cabinet sanctions IAC-1 at Rs 3,261 crore. |
| Feb 2009 | Keel laid at Cochin Shipyard. |
| Aug 2013 | Launched (floated out from dry-dock). |
| Aug-Sep 2021 | Sea Trials Phase-I. |
| 2022 | Sea Trials Phase-III completed; STOBAR ski-jump tests; ASW (anti-submarine warfare). |
| 2 Sept 2022 | COMMISSIONED as INS Vikrant by PM Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard, Kochi. Naval ensign unveiled with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s rajmudra (replacing the colonial St. George’s Cross). |
| 6 Feb 2023 | 1st MiG-29K landing on deck (night landing 10 Feb 2023). |
| 2024 | Operational status; deployed in IOR + Bay of Bengal. |
Specifications
- Displacement: 45,000 tonnes (full load).
- Length: 262 m; Beam: 62 m; Draught: 8.4 m.
- Propulsion: 4 × LM2500 gas turbines (88,000 hp); 28 knots max + 18 knots cruise; 7500 nm range.
- Crew: 1700 (incl. air wing).
- Air wing: 30 aircraft = MiG-29K + Tejas-N + Rafale-M (future, ordered Apr 2025) + Kamov-31 AEW + MH-60R Romeo + HAL Dhruv.
- Defence: Barak-8 LR-SAM + AK-630 CIWS + indigenous Kavach decoy.
- Layout: STOBAR ski-jump (no catapult); 2 take-off runways + 1 angled landing deck.
- Indigenous content: 88% (steel, weapons, sensors). Key suppliers: SAIL (DMR steel), L&T (gas turbines), BEL.
INS Vishal + R11 legacy
INS Vishal (IAC-2): India’s planned 65,000-tonne carrier with CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) + possibly nuclear propulsion. Under planning; sanction expected 2026-27.
Predecessor R11 INS Vikrant: India’s first carrier, ex-HMS Hercules (UK Majestic-class), commissioned 1961, retired 1997. Played decisive role in 1971 Bangladesh War — eastern naval blockade. Now memorial — partially preserved as monument in Mumbai (after 2015 plans to convert to museum failed).
UPSC angle
Know INS VIKRANT IAC-1 — India’s 1st INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT CARRIER (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-1); built COCHIN SHIPYARD LTD KOCHI; 45000 TONNES, 262 m length, 62 m beam, 8.4 m draught; 4× LM2500 gas turbines 88000 hp, 28 knots max, 7500 nm range; CREW 1700; AIR WING 30 aircraft MiG-29K + Tejas-N + Rafale-M (Apr 2025 order) + Kamov-31 AEW + MH-60R Romeo + HAL Dhruv; DEFENCE Barak-8 LR-SAM + AK-630 CIWS + indigenous Kavach decoy; STOBAR ski-jump design 2 take-off runways + 1 angled landing deck; INDIGENOUS CONTENT 88% (SAIL DMR steel + L&T + BEL); HISTORY: 2002 cabinet Rs 3261 cr (ballooned Rs 20000 cr), Feb 2009 keel laid, Aug 2013 launched, sea trials 2021-22, COMMISSIONED 2 SEPTEMBER 2022 PM Narendra Modi Cochin Shipyard Kochi (naval ensign unveiled with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj rajmudra replacing colonial St. George’s Cross); 1st MiG-29K landing 6 Feb 2023 night 10 Feb; INS VISHAL IAC-2 65000 t CATOBAR possibly nuclear sanction 2026-27 planned; PREDECESSOR R11 INS VIKRANT ex-HMS Hercules UK Majestic-class commissioned 1961 retired 1997, decisive 1971 Bangladesh War eastern naval blockade.
Frequently asked questions
When was INS Vikrant commissioned?
On 2 September 2022 at Kochi by PM Narendra Modi. The naval ensign was unveiled with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s rajmudra replacing the colonial St. George’s Cross.
Where was INS Vikrant built?
At Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi — making India only the 4th country (after USA, UK, China, France) capable of building an aircraft carrier indigenously.
What aircraft will INS Vikrant carry?
MiG-29K + future Rafale-M (26 ordered April 2025) + Tejas-N (under development) + Kamov-31 AEW + MH-60R Romeo helicopters + HAL Dhruv. 30 aircraft total capacity.
What is INS Vishal?
India’s planned IAC-2 (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2) — 65,000 tonnes with CATOBAR (catapult-assisted) launch and possibly nuclear propulsion. Sanction expected 2026-27.