POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Sep 2, 2022 : India launched its first home-made aircraft carrier.The country continues to strive to increase its capabilities to counter regional rival China’s ever-strengthening navy.
The name of the warship “INS Vikrant” is derived from the Sanskrit language, which means ‘strong’ or ‘brave’. It is India’s second active aircraft carrier.
Earlier, the country bought a Soviet-era warship named INS Vikramaditya from Russia. It was bought in 2004 mainly to protect its interests in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the aircraft carrier on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of independence from Britain.
Modi highlighted the importance of joining the list of few countries in the world who are able to build aircraft carriers in their own country.
He said, this day is a historic day, a historic achievement. This is an example of the government’s efforts to make India self-reliant in defence. By the end of 2023, the 47,000-ton warship will be fully commissioned.
The height of this warship is 262 meters and it is 62 meters in width.
It is the largest warship built in India. This warship has accommodation for around 1600 crew members. 30 aircraft can fly in this warship. This warship will also have the facility to fly fighter jets like the MiG-29K. 20 thousand crores of rupees or 2.5 billion dollars have been spent to build this 45 thousand ton warship.
The construction of this warship has been going on for more than a decade. The ‘C trial’ was started in August last year. This ‘trial’ process has been going on for almost a year.
India was also involved in the Bangladesh-Pakistan war in 1971. At that time ‘INS Vikrant’ played an important role against Pakistan by standing for Bangladesh. Vikrant retired in the late nineties. The ship was wrecked. This warship was built in India with the same name in his memory.
After getting Vikrant in hand, India entered the list of countries like USA, Britain, Russia, China, France. These countries have built their own aircraft carriers.
China has increased its activities in the Indian Ocean in recent years. Last month, the country sent its military ships to a Sri Lankan port. While Beijing calls it a research ship, India has expressed concern, saying the ship’s real purpose is to conduct intelligence operations.
