IAC Vikrant is considered to provide Indian Navy with requisite flexibility, reach and combat power across the IOR

Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ which is under advanced stage of construction at Cochin Shipyard Ltd at Kochi was visited by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday.

According to the Ministry of Defence, during the visit to IAC ‘Vikrant’, the Vice President was briefed about efforts being made towards ship’s delivery and commissioning prior August 2022 to commemorate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

The Vice President was appreciative of India’s capability in designing and constructing an Aircraft Carrier and lauded it as a shining example of our quest for ‘Atma Nirbharta’ or self-reliant India, the Ministry said.

The Indian Navy is a formidable resident maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region; and the Aircraft Carrier Battle Group remains central to its concept of operations.

“Vikrant will provide the Indian Navy with the requisite flexibility, mobility, reach and combat power in pursuance of our national interests and also serve as a strong catalyst for peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region” the Ministry said.

An Aircraft Carrier also holds a position of strategic and technological eminence, and is rightly considered the pinnacle in the domain of warship design and construction.

With the construction of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, India will enter into a select band of countries having niche indigenous capability for designing and building of an Aircraft Carrier.

The Indian shipbuilding industry has come a long way since the 1960s with IAC Vikrant being the hallmark of India’s indigenous industrial capability.

The indigenous content in construction of IAC is close to 76% of overall project cost of Rs 19341 Crs.

The ship has a large number of indigenous materials such as steel, besides other equipment and systems manufactured by Indian industrial houses and about 100 MSMEs.

The indigenous construction of the carrier has generated employment opportunities not only within the shipyard but also for many other industries supporting the project externally.

This has resulted in a “plough back” effect on the domestic economy. Close to 2000 shipyards and 13000 non-yard personnel have been employed per annum towards construction of IAC Vikrant.