The sea trials of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant, the largest warship built, started its sea trials on Wednesday. The Indian Navy has described it as a proud and historic day for the country and said that India has joined a group of few countries having niche capability to indigenously design, build, and integrate a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier.
The aircraft carrier which weighs a 40,000-ton aircraft carrier set off on its first sea trials, 50 years after its namesake played a key role in the 1971 liberation war. IAC Vikrant is expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in the second half of the year 2022.
“It is a proud and historic day for India as the reincarnated Vikrant (IAC) sails for her maiden sea trials today in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessor’s key role in the victory in the 1971 war,” Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
“A proud and historic moment in our quest for Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) and Make in India initiative. With the building of the indigenous aircraft carrier, India joins a select group of nations having niche capability to indigenously design, build and integrate a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier,” he added.
