In News
- Recently, the Prime Minister of India commissioned India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant in Kochi.
- Currently, India has two aircraft carriers (INS Vikramaditya (from Russia) & INS Vikrant (present one).
About
- The Prime Minister also unveiled the new Naval Ensign ‘Nishaan’ during the commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
- Naval Ensigns are flagging that naval ships or formations bear to denote nationality.
- The current Indian Naval Ensign consists of a St. George’s Cross — a red cross with a white background.
- St. George was a Christian Warrior Saint who is believed to have been a crusader during the third crusade.
- In 2001 the George’s Cross was replaced with the naval crest in the middle of the white flag while the Tricolour retained its place on the top left corner.
- The Indian Naval Ensign has changed multiple times since Independence.
Facts Sheet about INS Vikrant
- Origin:
- The name ‘INS Vikrant’ originally belonged to India’s first aircraft carrier which was acquired from the UK, and played a vital role in the 1971 War with Pakistan before it was decommissioned in 1997.
- Design & Development:
- 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 & Waterways.
- It has been built with state-of-the-art automation features and is the largest ship ever built-in maritime history of India.
- Operational capability:
- The ship is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
- The ship can accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.
- The warship will also offer an “incomparable military instrument with its ability to project Air Power over long distances, including offensive, Air Interdiction, Anti-Surface Warfare, defensive Counter-Air, Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare and Airborne Early Warning.
Need & Significance
- With the commissioning, India has joined the elite group of nations (US, Russia, France, the UK and China) having capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier.
- It is a shining example in the nation’s quest for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India Initiative,’ with more than 76 per cent indigenous content.”
- It is especially important amid India’s bid to be a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region & upholder of Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) where it faces China.
- The two aircraft carriers can be deployed, one in East Coast (BOB & Malacca Strait) & 2nd one for west Coast (Arabian Sea, Pak Coast & West Asia).
- Naval forces can use this for dispensing humanitarian relief & disaster relief (in peacetime)
Way Ahead & Conclusion
- Considering current geopolitical & strategic importance along the maritime domain, India needs at least 3 carriers.
- India’s stake in the IOR is greater than in the high Himalayas; India being the only member country of QUAD.
- The Navy shall be organised, trained & equipped for the peacetime promotion of national security interests & prosperity of India & for prompt combat incidents to operations at Sea.
Source: TH
