10 Fascinating Facts About India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

INS Vikrant: 10 Fascinating Facts About India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

India has marked a significant milestone in naval history with the commissioning of INS Vikrant, the country's first indigenously built aircraft carrier. Here are 10 mind-blowing facts about this engineering marvel that will leave you in awe of India’s growing naval strength.

1. Made in India, Made for the Seas INS Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier built entirely in India, designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). This is a major boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.

2. A Floating City Weighing around 45,000 tonnes, Vikrant is a massive structure – comparable to a 20-storey building and as long as two football fields placed end to end. It can house over 1,600 crew members, making it a true city at sea.

3. Ski-Jump Launch System The carrier uses a Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system with a ski-jump ramp for aircraft to launch. This enables fighter jets like the MiG-29K to take off even on a short runway.

4. High-Speed Performance INS Vikrant can cruise at 28 knots (over 50 km/h), thanks to its four gas turbines generating 80 megawatts of power. That’s enough to light up a small city!

5. 75% Indigenous Components From steel to sensors, about 75% of the components used in building INS Vikrant were sourced from India. It includes materials from over 500 Indian companies, proving India’s industrial and engineering capabilities.

6. Air Wing Power Vikrant can carry up to 30 aircraft, including fighter jets like the MiG-29K and helicopters such as the Kamov-31 and MH-60R. These aircraft serve roles in reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and combat.

7. Named After a Legend The name “Vikrant” means “courageous” or “victorious” in Sanskrit. It honors the original INS Vikrant, which played a crucial role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

8. Built for the Next 40 Years INS Vikrant has been designed to serve for at least four decades, with upgrades and modernizations planned over time. It will play a key role in maintaining India’s dominance in the Indian Ocean Region.

9. Massive Flight Deck Its 260-meter-long flight deck provides enough space for simultaneous take-offs and landings, just like a runway on land — except it’s floating in the sea!

10. Symbol of Sovereignty Beyond its military power, INS Vikrant stands as a symbol of national pride, showcasing India’s rise as a global player in defence manufacturing and technological innovation.

INS Vikrant is more than a warship — it's a message. A message of strength, resilience, and the determination to build a future that is self-reliant and secure. As the waves crash against its hull, Vikrant sails forward, proudly carrying the hopes and might of a billion Indians.