As Vikrant heads to sea, India must look at more carriers
The future indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant heads out to sea on its maiden voyage. (Photo: IN)
The first home-grown Indian Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) – the future INS Vikrant designed by the Indian Navy’s (IN) Directorate of Naval Design – left Kochi and headed for sea trials on 4 July.
Trials are scheduled to last until the end of 2021 and Shephard learned that compatibility trials for aviation assets will start in early 2022.
Vikrant completed harbour and basin trials last December, but the vessel is at least six years behind schedule. It is expected to enter service in the first half of 2022.
IAC-1 is 262m long, 62m at its widest and 59m high. It has 14
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
-
Newest US Coast Guard cutters go after Chinese vessels sailing in the Arctic
Cutters Earl Cunningham and Storis have been monitoring five Beijing research vessels navigating in the North Pole.
-
US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.