The maiden sea trials of INS Vikrant have been successful with good result, hence, the second phase of sea trials are expected to start end October and subsequently the third phase trials planned in December, a defence official said.
“Vikrant is expected to be delivered to the Navy in April and likely to be commissioned in August 2022,” the official said which would also coincide with 75 years of independence.
Simultaneously, work is underway on the aviation complex of the indigenous aircraft carrier and for that, a team from Russia is already present here. The aviation trials will continue once the carrier is commissioned and would be done with the MiG-29K aircraft in service with the Navy, the official said.
In Phase II of the sea trials, complete habitat, including each of the over 2300 compartments, would be thoroughly checked, the official added.
INS Vikrant is designed by the Directorate of Naval Design and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. It is 262 metres long, 62 metres at the widest part, and 59 metres high including the superstructure and has more than 76% indigenous material. There are 14 decks, including five in the superstructure and over 2300 compartments designed for a crew of around 1700 people with separate accommodation for female officers.
