Watch: Vikrant (IAC-1), India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, Sails Out On Maiden Sea Trials

In a major development, the country's maiden indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant (IAC-1) began its sea trials earlier today (4 August). Set to augment the Indian Navy's might and capabilities, the aircraft carrier will be commissioned into service of the Eastern Naval Command as INS Vikrant by mid-2022

The carrier had completed its basin trial in November 2020 successfully. Thereafter, the integration of a number of other navigational, communication and operational systems was also undertaken.

The focus of the ongoing sea trials of the carrier is the 'move' component of the ship to see how the vessel fares in the water. And if all goes as per the plans during the trials, the carrier will likely be commissioned by the middle of 2022.

Being built at a cost of approximately Rs 24,000 crore, the carrier will have a displacement of 40,000 tonnes. Once commissioned, the 262 metres long carrier will be the most potent sea-based asset of the Indian Navy.

It will have as many as 35-40 aircraft on board which will include naval fighter jets, anti-submarine helicopters and also naval UAVs.

Rajnath Singh had stated last month that IAC has nearly 75 per cent indigenous content - from design to steel used in construction to key weapons and sensors. He recalled a recent approval accorded by the Defence Acquisition Council for RFP of Project 75-I under the Strategic Partnership model, which will give further fillip to the indigenous development of niche manufacturing technologies. He said the commissioning of IAC would be a befitting tribute to 75 years of India's independence.