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This article contains information about an as-yet unfinished ship.
It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the ship.
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 INS Vikrant (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier) |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Project 71 |
| Builders: | Cochin Shipyard |
| Operators: |  Indian Navy |
| Preceded by: | |
| Cost: | $1 billion(estimate)[citation needed] |
| Building: | 1 |
| Planned: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Aircraft Carrier |
| Displacement: | 40,000 tonnes |
| Length: | 260 metres (853ft) |
| Beam: | 60 metres (197ft) |
| Draught: | 8.4 metres (28ft) |
| Propulsion: | General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines, driving four shafts. |
| Speed: | 28 knots |
| Range: | 7,500 miles at 18 knots |
| Complement: | approximately 1,400 |
| Aircraft carried: | 30 aircraft MiG-29K HAL Tejas Includes 10 helicopters HAL Dhruv Ka-31 'Helix' |
The Vikrant class aircraft carrier ("Indigenous Aircraft Carrier" (IAC) (formerly the "Air Defence Ship" (ADS)) project) is the first aircraft carrier to be built by India at the Cochin Shipyard. This will be the largest and broadest warship ever built by Cochin Shipyard. The Cochin shipyard plans to complete eighty percent of works on the ship before its launch in 2010.[1] The aircraft carrier is expected to enter service by 2012.[2] but was delayed by a year due to non-availability of AB/A grade steel from Russia. This led to the indigenous sourcing of the steel.[3] The early warning sensors and anti-aircraft missile capability of the first aircraft carrier is similar to that of the Kolkata class destroyers. The shipyard expects the Navy to place an order for a second indigenous aircraft carrier by the end of the year, and work will begin by early next year.
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Status
Laying of keel for India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), has been done by the defense minister A.K Antony at the Cochin Shipyard on February 28, 2009.[4][5] The ship will be created using modular design. A total of 874 blocks will be created, and later be joined together to speed up the building process. By the time the keel was laid 423 blocks weighting about 8,000 tonnes were completed.[6]
The idea is to launch it in 2010 when it would have completed some 20,000 tonnes, including hull, as it cannot be launched at a higher displacement from the building bay. After about a year’s building in the refit dock, it would be launched again when every major component and everything underwater would be in place. Only outfitting would remain. If everything goes as per the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) plan, it should touch the waters in 2013. After completing sea trials, the ship is planned to be commissioned in 2014.[7]
As per the original plan, the carrier would have the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the Advanced Light Helicopter(ALH) Dhruv in its fleet of 30 assorted aircraft besides MiG-29K and Kamov Ka-31.
By the time the IAC is commissioned, the naval Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) should also be ready. The STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) carrier will have a versatile deck from which any aircraft, MiG-29 downwards, could operate.[8]
The earlier planned displacement of 37,000 tons changed due to some design changes and the ships displacement has increased to 40,000 tons. The length of the ship increased from 252 (827ft) meters to 260 meters (853 ft).[9]
The order for the second aircraft carrier in the series is expected to be placed by 2010. The second carrier is planned to be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2017.[10]
Ships
| Name | Pennant | Laid down | Launched | Sea trials | Commissioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INS Vikrant | 28 February 2009 | 2010 | 2013 | 2014 | |
| INS Vishal | 2010 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
References
- ^ First indigenous Air Defence Ship by 2010
- ^ Cochin Shipyard to build first indigenous aircraft carrier
- ^ Keel-laying of indigenous aircraft carrier in December
- ^ http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20090085124
- ^ http://en.rian.ru/world/20090226/120325539.html]
- ^ India joins elite warships club
- ^ Keel laying of indigenous aircraft carrier next week
- ^ Keel-laying of indigenous aircraft carrier in December
- ^ Antony lays keel of first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
- ^ 3rd aircraft carrier to be inducted by 2017: Antony
External links
Videos
- India set to launch its very own aircraft carrier
- video animation of the first vikrant class aircraft carrier
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