On Course For Induction On Aug 15, Aircraft Carrier Vikrant Sails Out For 3rd Round Of Sea Trials 

The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Vikrant sailed out of Kochi for the third round of sea trials on January 9 ahead of its scheduled induction as an Indian Naval warship on August 15, 2022.  

During the third round of sea trials, the carrier will undergo complex manoeuvres to establish specific readings of how the ship performs in various conditions.  The 40,000-ton aircraft carrier is the largest warship and the first aircraft carrier ever built in an Indian shipyard. 

“Scientists from the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, a DRDO laboratory based at Visakhapatnam would also be embarked during the trials.  In addition, various sensor suites of the ship would also be tested,” the Indian Navy announced in a statement.  

“While the maiden sea trials in August last year were to establish propulsion, navigational suite and basic operations, the second sea trial later in October-November witnessed the ship being put through its paces in terms of various machinery trials and flight trials.  The ship in fact was out for 10 days proving its sustenance in the very second sortie.  Various seamanship evolutions were also successfully cleared during the second sortie,” the Indian Navy statement elaborated.  

The statement suggested that the IAC was well on course or its scheduled induction deadline.  

“That the ship has been able to carry out basic flying operations from its very first sortie itself is a landmark in Indian warship construction history,” the Indian Navy stated.  

“Be it the case of Atmanirbharta wherein 76% of the equipment is indigenously sourced or the close engagement between the Design teams of the Indian Navy and M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited – a high-point in the largest and most complex warship ever to be built in the country,” the statement added. 

The air of anticipation ahead of the induction of the aircraft carrier, which is set to become the biggest brand ambassador of the Make in India story, was further heightened with the visits of President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu to INS Vikrant within a span of two weeks recently.  

The dignitaries reviewed the progress and conveyed satisfaction to all the stakeholders involved in the landmark project.  

Vishal Thapar

BW Reporters Group Editorial Head for BW’s Defence, Security & Police