Up to 26 MiG-29K[19] fighter jets, 4 Kamov Ka-31[20] helicopters, 2 HAL DhruvNUH[21] utility helicopters and 4 MH-60R[22]multi-role helicopters [5] will fly from INS Vikrant. At a 262-metre (860 ft) length, with a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph), and endurance of 7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km; 8,600 mi), the ship has 2,300 compartments manned by 1700 seamen. It has a hospital complex, cabins for female officers, two football field-sized flight decks, eight kilometres (5.0 mi) of corridors, and eight generators capable of lighting up a city of 2 million people.[23]
Work on the ship's design began in 1999, and the keel was laid in 2009. The carrier was floated out of dry dock on 29 December 2011[24] and launched on 12 August 2013.[25] Basin trials were completed in December 2020,[26] and sea trials started in August 2021.[27] Her commissioning ceremony was held on 2 September 2022.[28] Aircraft flight trials will be completed in 2023.[27][29] The total cost of the project is approximately ₹230 billion (US$2.9 billion) at the time of first sea trials.[4][5]
In 1999, Defence MinisterGeorge Fernandes authorised the development and construction of an aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, under the Project 71 Air Defence Ship (ADS).[30] By that time, given the ageing Sea Harrier fleet, the letter of intent called for a carrier that would carry more modern jet fighters. In 2001, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) released a graphic illustration showing a 32,000-tonne (31,000-long-ton; 35,000-short-ton) STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) design with a pronounced ski jump.[31] The aircraft carrier project finally received formal government approval in January 2003. By then, design updates called for a 37,500-tonne (36,900-long-ton; 41,300-short-ton) carrier to operate the Mikoyan MiG-29K. India opted for a three-carrier fleet consisting of one carrier battle group stationed on each seaboard, and a third carrier held in reserve, in order to continuously protect both its flanks, to protect economic interests and mercantile traffic, and to provide humanitarian platforms in times of disasters, since a carrier can provide a self-generating supply of fresh water, medical assistance or engineering expertise to populations in need for assistance.[32]
In August 2006, Chief of the Naval StaffAdmiralArun Prakash stated that the designation for the vessel had been changed from Air Defence Ship (ADS) to Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC). The euphemistic ADS had been adopted in planning stages to ward off concerns about a naval build-up. Final revisions to the design increased the displacement of the carrier from 37,500 tons to over 40,000 tons. The length of the ship also increased from 252 metres (827 ft) to 262 metres (860 ft).[33]
Design
The indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is 262 metres (860 ft) long and 62 metres (203 ft) wide, and displaces about 45,000 tonnes (44,000 long tons; 50,000 short tons).[34] It features a STOBAR configuration[35] with a ski-jump. The deck is designed to enable aircraft such as the MiG-29K to operate from the carrier. It is expected to carry an air group of up to thirty aircraft, which will include up to 24–26 fixed-wing combat aircraft,[36] primarily the MiG-29K, besides carrying 10 Kamov Ka-31 or Westland Sea King helicopters. The Ka-31 will fulfill the airborne early warning (AEW) role and the Sea King will provide anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability.[37][38]
A schematic diagram of INS Vikrant
Vikrant is powered by four General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines on two shafts, generating over 80 megawatts (110,000 hp) of power. The gearboxes for the carriers were designed and supplied by Elecon Engineering.[24][39][40]
The ship's combat management system (CMS) was developed by Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division in collaboration with Weapon and Electronics System Engineering Establishment and MARS, Russia. It is the first CMS developed by a private company for the Indian Navy, and was handed over to the Navy on 28 March 2019.[41][42]
Carrier air group
India considered a number of aircraft for operation from its aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya and the planned indigenous aircraft carrier. India evaluated the Russian Sukhoi Su-33, but chose the lighter MiG-29K as Vikramaditya was smaller and lacked an aircraft catapult.[43] On 18 January 2010, it was reported that India and Russia were close to signing a deal for 29 MiG-29K fighters to operate from IAC-1.[44] In addition, the Navy signed a deal for six naval-variants of the indigenous HAL Tejas.[45] In June 2012, Flight Global reported that the Indian Navy was considering the use of the Dassault Rafale M (Naval variant) on these carriers.[46] On 6 January 2022, The Indian Navy started testing the Rafale-M for operations from INS Vikrant at the shore-based test facility at INS Hansa in Goa. Some reports citing the same also indicated that the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet would be tested at the same locale in March 2022[47][48][49][50]
In December 2016, the Navy announced that the HAL Tejas was overweight for carrier operations, and other alternatives would be looked at.[51][52] The Navy settled with MiG-29K as the primary aircraft for the IAC-1.[53][54]
In late January 2017, the Indian Navy released an international Request for Information (RFI) for 57 "Multi-Role Carrier Borne Fighters". The main contest was between the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Dassault Rafale-M. Both these aircraft are operable on the Vikrant and Vikramaditya.[55] In December 2020, Boeing demonstrated F/A-18E/F operations from Indian carriers at the shore-based test facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland, US.[56][57] In mid 2020, the Navy announced that it was seeking 36 fighters instead of the initial 57 proposed due to budgetary constraints.[58]
Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier to be designed by the Warship Design Bureau (formerly Directorate of Naval Design) of the Indian Navy and the first warship to be built by Cochin Shipyard. Its construction involved participation of a large number of private and public firms.
The keel for Vikrant was laid by Defence Minister A.K. Antony at the Cochin Shipyard on 28 February 2009.[64][65][66] The ship uses modular construction, with 874 blocks joined for the hull. By the time the keel was laid, 423 blocks weighing over 8,000 tons had been completed.[67] In August 2011, the Defence Ministry reported to the Lok Sabha that 75% of the construction work for the hull of the lead carrier had been completed and the carrier would be first launched in December 2011, following which further works would be completed until commissioning.[68][69] On 29 December 2011, the completed hull of the carrier was first floated out of its dry dock at CSL, with its displacement at over 14,000 tonnes (14,000 long tons; 15,000 short tons).[39] Interior works and fittings on the hull would be carried out until the second half of 2012, when it would again be dry-docked for integration with its propulsion and power generation systems.[7][24] By late 2012, work commenced for the next stage of construction, which included the installation of the integrated propulsion system, the superstructure, the upper decks, the cabling, sensors and weapons.[70]
Launch
INS Vikrant during its launch in August 2013
In July 2013, Defence Minister Antony announced that Vikrant would be launched on 12 August at the Cochin Shipyard. The ship was launched by his wife, Elizabeth Antony, on 12 August 2013.[71]
According to Admiral Robin Dhowan, about 83% of the fabrication work and 75% of the construction work had been completed at the time of launching. He said that 90% of the body work of the aircraft carrier had been designed and made in India, about 50% of the propulsion system, and about 30% of its weaponry. He also said that the ship would be equipped with a long range missile system with multi-function radar and a close-in weapon system (CIWS).[72] After the launch, Vikrant would be re-docked for the second phase of construction, in which the ship would be fitted with various weapons and sensors, and the propulsion system, flight deck and the aircraft complex would be integrated.[62]
Undocking and fitting-out
INS Vikrant during its undocking in June 2015
Vikrant was undocked on 10 June 2015 after the completion of structural work. Cabling, piping, heat and ventilation works were scheduled to be completed by 2017 with sea trials to begin thereafter.[73] By October 2015, the construction of the hull was close to 98 percent complete, with flight deck construction underway.[74] The installation of machinery, piping and the propeller shafts was in progress by January 2016; it was reported, however, that there were delays in the delivery of equipment from Russia for the carrier's aviation complex.[75] By May 2017, the carrier's fitting-out was 62% complete, with trials of the auxiliary systems scheduled by late 2017.[12]
In February 2020, all major structural and outfitting work was declared complete.[76]
Harbour and sea trials
On 31 October 2019, Cochin Shipyard received a ₹30 billion (equivalent to ₹32 billion or US$400 million in 2020) contract for the Phase-III of the project.[77] This contract included funds for the harbour trials, sea trials and support for the ship during its weapons and aviation trials after its delivery.[78] In December 2019, it was reported the engines had been switched on.[79] By September 2020, Vikrant had completed harbour trials while the basin trials started from October 2020 to check propulsion, electric transmission and shafting systems.[80] On 30 November 2020, the basin trials were completed, paving the way for sea trials, the final phase of the IAC-I project.[81][82]
Basin trials of the aircraft carrier.
In April 2021, it was reported work had begun to integrate the long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) onboard Vikrant.[83][84][85] On 15 June 2021, Vikrant was moved to the Ernakulam Wharf in Kochi, Kerala.[86] On 4 August 2021, sea trials finally began.[87] The first phase of the sea trials was successfully completed on 8 August 2021.[88] The second phase of the trials was conducted on 24 October 2021,[89] followed by the third phase from 9–17 January 2022,[90][91][92] both of which were completed successfully.[93] On 10 July, the fourth and final phase of the sea trials was successfully completed. This phase involved integrated trials of most of the equipment and systems aboard Vikrant, including portions of the Aviation Facilities Complex.[94]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant on 2 September 2022 in a grand ceremony at Cochin Shipyard.[28][95] Earlier, INS Vikrant was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 July 2022.[2] Flight trials of its aircraft complement are expected to be completed by mid-2023, after which the ship will be fully operational.[27] In March 2020, it was revealed that after its commissioning, the Navy will deploy Vikrant at Larsen & Toubro's shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai. This was done as the planned naval base in Rambilli near Vishakhapatnam was not ready yet. The Navy wants to lease a 260 m berth at Kattupalli shipyard for 8 years between 2022 and 2030 for interim berthing of the ship, by which time the naval base at Rambilli is expected to be available.[96]
The IAC project has experienced numerous delays. The construction plan originally called for the carrier to be launched in 2010, when it would displace some 20,000 tonnes (20,000 long tons; 22,000 short tons), as a larger displacement could not be accommodated in the building bay. It was planned that after about a year's development in the refit dock, the carrier would be launched when all the major components, including underwater systems, would be in place. Outfitting would then be carried out after launch. Vikrant was intended to be delivered in December 2010[98] and commissioned in 2016. As per the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), sea trials were initially planned to commence in 2013, with the ship to be commissioned in 2014.[99][100] This was later postponed, with sea trials to begin in 2017 and commissioning planned for 2018.[101] In March 2011, it was reported that the project had been affected by the delay in the delivery of the main gearboxes for the carrier. The supplier, Elecon, attributed it to having to work around a number of technical complexities due to the length of the propulsion shafts.[102] Other issues resulting in delays included an accident with a diesel generator and an issue with its alignment.[103] In July 2012, The Times of India reported that construction of Vikrant had been delayed by three years, and the ship would be ready for commissioning by 2018.[104] Later, in November 2012, Indian English-language news channel NDTV reported that the cost of the aircraft carrier had increased and the delivery has been delayed by at least five years and is expected to be with the Indian Navy only after 2018 as against the scheduled date of delivery of 2014.[105]
In July 2016, the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) published a 2014 project plan, supplied by the Cochin Shipyard, that showed an expected completion date in 2023,[98] though the Navy hoped to partially commission the ship before this date.[106] In December 2017, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba announced that the ship was expected to commence sea trials and be commissioned in 2020.[101][107] In January 2018, Commodore J Chowdhary, the principal director of naval design, announced the remaining procurement delays stalling Vikrant's construction had been resolved, and that the carrier would be completed and delivered by December 2018; it would then undergo two years of sea trials before its then-expected commissioning in October 2020.[108]
During the December 2019 Navy Day press briefing, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh said Vikrant would be fully operational before the end of 2022.[109] A part of the blame for the delay in delivery of Vikrant was attributed to the delay in the supply of aviation equipment from Russia. In response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Sripad Naik, the Minister of State for Defence, stated: "Ship's targeted delivery was affected due to delay in supply of aviation equipment from Russia".[110] The Navy expected to commission Vikrant by the end of 2021,[80] with an April 2021 report by the Hindustan Times claiming Vikrant, along with the stealthguided missile destroyerINS Visakhapatnam, would be delivered to the Indian Navy by the end of 2021.[111][112] Other construction and procurement delays initially delayed the warship's sea trials to April 2020 from their originally scheduled date of 12 March 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, trials were further postponed to late 2020,[109] but ultimately began in August 2021. As of August 2021, the carrier is scheduled to be commissioned in 2022. It commissioned on 2 September 2022 by PM Narendra Modi.[113][114][115]
^"India launches home-built, 37,500-tonne aircraft carrier in a shot across the bow to China". National Post. Associated Press. 12 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2015. The 37,500 tonne INS Vikrant is expected to go for extensive trials in 2016 before being inducted into the navy by 2017, reports say. With this, India joins the select group of countries comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia and France capable of building such a vessel.