INS Vikrant marks a historic milestone as India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, symbolizing the nation’s transformation from manufacturing dependency to self-reliance. Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited with the collaboration of 510 Indian companies, this 45,000-tonne naval giant features 76% indigenous content and cost approximately ₹20,000 crore.
The 262-meter-long carrier can accommodate 30 aircraft including MiG-29K fighter jets and various helicopters, with a crew capacity of 1,700 personnel. Powered by four gas turbines generating 88 MW, INS Vikrant has an operational range of 7,500 nautical miles and maximum speed of 28 knots. Named after India’s first aircraft carrier that played a crucial role in the 1971 war, ‘Vikrant’ means ‘courageous’ in Sanskrit, reflecting the ship’s formidable capabilities and India’s naval ambitions in the Indian Ocean Region.
