Aircraft carrier ‘Vikrant’ sets out for next sea trials

Aircraft carrier ‘Vikrant’ sets out for next sea trials

Aircraft carrier ‘Vikrant’ sets out for next sea trials

Ship expected to be commissioned later this year

New Delhi, Jan. 9 (Delhi Crown):  Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ has set out for its next phase of sea trials, said an Indian Navy source on Sunday.

On successful completion of a series of progressive sea trials, the ship is scheduled to be commissioned as INS Vikrant later this year, as the nation commemorates ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, added the source.

While IAC Vikrant’s 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. 

Having gained adequate confidence in the ship’s abilities, the IAC now sails to undertake complex manoeuvres to establish specific readings of how the ship performs in various conditions.

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. 

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice-President Venkaih Naidu had made their visits on the ship over the past couple of weeks.

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.

Despite surging COVID cases in the country and the resultant challenges, the combined teams from multiple organisations associated with the project, are upbeat and committed to meet the timeliness. 

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