India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant begins sea trials
New Delhi: Reincarnated indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant set sail on maiden sea trials on Wednesday. IAC Vikrant is the largest and most complex warship ever to be designed and built in India.
Navy officials tweeted, "Proud and historic day for India as the reincarnated Vikrant (IAC) sails for her maiden sea trials today, in 50th yr of her illustrious predecessor's key role in the victory in the 1971 war. This is the largest and most complex warship ever to be designed and built in India".
The aircraft carrier, which is 262 meters long, is to be commissioned next year. The approximate cost is Rs 24,000 Crore, and the Displacement is 40,000 tonnes.
It will have an air component of 30 aircraft, comprising MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 airborne early warning helicopters and the soon-to-be-inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter.
INS Vikrant is expected to have a top speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 kmph) and is propelled by four gas turbines. Its endurance is 7,500 nautical miles at 18 knots (32 kmph) speed.
