The INS Vikrant departs the Cochin Shipyard, August 12, 2013. REUTERS/Sivaram V
India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, was launched Monday at the Cochin Shipyard in the southern Indian city of Kochi.
According to a media release, the 40,000 ton aircraft carrier, designed by the Indian Navy (Directorate General of Naval Design) and built at the Cochin Shipyard, is a part of the warship project of the Ministry of Defense. With a length of 262 meters (869ft) and maximum beam of 62 meters (203ft), the INS Vikrant is the largest warship and the first aircraft carrier to be designed and built entirely in India.
The aircraft carrier will come equipped with two runways for take-off and an angled deck with arrestor wires for landing.
The ship is currently scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2018, but will not be ready for deployment anytime before 2020, according to the Times of India.
With the construction of the Vikrant, India joins only a small group of countries -including the U.S., U.K., Russia and France capable of building such a ship.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Indian shipping regulators and related authorities seem to be keeping a close watch on ongoing supply chain dynamics for export trades as ocean carriers arguably tend to profiteer from capacity disruption, especially in a larger crisis situation.
India is sending additional warships to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea to ensure the safe passage of its vessels in anticipation that Iran may allow more of its fuel tankers to exit the Strait of Hormuz, people familiar with the matter said.
Two Indian liquefied petroleum gas carriers have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz after receiving rare clearance from Iran, highlighting how the world’s most critical energy shipping corridor is increasingly being shaped by diplomacy rather than routine commercial navigation.
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
