iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, September 2, commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. During the event, Modi also unveiled the new Naval Ensign, doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage.
Modi said that Vikrant is not just a warship, it is a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant. Today, India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology.”
Commenting on the changing geo-strategic situation, he said that in the past, security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean have long been ignored. But today this area is a major defense priority of the country. “That is why we are working in every direction, from increasing the budget for the Navy to increasing its capability,” he said. Modi added that a strong India will pave the way for a peaceful and safe world.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of Congress, said: “Many congratulations to the Indian Navy, the Naval Design Bureau, and Cochin Shipyard for the many years of hard work that has made the vision of INS Vikrant come true. India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, Vikrant is a significant step for India’s maritime security.”
INS Vikrant has been designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The warship has been built with state-of-the-art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India.
The steel installed in the warship’s airbase is also indigenous. The ship has been developed by scientists of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and produced by Indian companies. Modi said that it is like a floating city. “It produces electricity that is sufficient to power 5000 households and the wiring used will reach Kashi from Kochi,” he said.
The Prime Minister informed that when Vikrant descends to protect India’s maritime zone, many women soldiers of the Navy will also be stationed there. He also said that the Indian Navy has decided to open all its branches for women. The restrictions that were there are now being removed. Just as there are no boundaries for the capable waves, “there will be no boundaries or restrictions for the daughters of India”.
The Indigenously built aircraft carrier has been named after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier which had played a vital role in the 1971 war. It has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country as well as over 100 MSMEs. With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will have two operational aircraft carriers, which will bolster the maritime security of the nation.
