Kochi : Prime Minister commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, in a ceremony held at Cochin Shipyard in Kochi at 9 am this morning.
INS Vikrant is the largest ever ship built in India’s maritime history. The warship features state-of-the-art automation system and has been built at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore at Cochin Shipyard.
The New Star: The giantic carrier takes the name of India’s first aircraft carrier, the Indian Naval Ship(INS) Vikrant, that played crucial role in 1971 war. The carrier is 262-metre-long and has a full displacement close to 45,000 tonnes, making it far larger and more advanced than its predecessor.
INS Vikrant is powered by four gas turbines with a total of 88 MW, meaning power enough to light half of Kochi. The giant has a maximum speed of 28 knots. Designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design*DND), the vessel is built by public sector shipyard CSL.
