Kochi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission the first indigenous aircraft carrier– INS Vikrant– the largest ship ever built in maritime history of India and houses state-of-the-art automation features at Cochin Shipyard Limited here today.During the event, the Prime Minister will also unveil the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.The commissioning of Vikrant will mark a significant step towards India’s self-reliance in the defence sector, a Defence spokesman has said. It is a shining beacon of Atma Nirbharta in the defence sector, he said.With the commissioning of Vikrant, India would join a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier, which will be a real testimony to the Make in India thrust of Government of India, a Defence statement has said.The warship has been built using indigenous equipment and machinery supplied by India’s major industrial houses as well as over 100 MSMEs. It has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country as well as over 100 MSMEs.With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will have two operational aircraft carriers, which will bolster the maritime security of the nation.Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), Indian Navy’s in-house organisation and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the indigenous aircraft carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war.Vikrant meaning victorious and gallant, the foundation for IAC was established in April 2005 by ceremonial Steel Cutting.
