India is preparing to arm itself with the first aircraft carrier of domestic construction. Yesterday, October 5, the portal navyrecognition.com he reported that the ship INS Vikrant went to sea to check the seaworthiness.
This is the second sea trials for INS Vikrant. The first ones took place in August of this year and were completed successfully. The third and final stage of sea trials is planned to be held in December this year. If the ship successfully passes the "exams", then next year it can be transferred to the Indian Navy.
Aircraft carrier INS Vikrant
Image source: navyrecognition.com
Vikrant was laid down in 2006 and is positioned as the first Indian aircraft carrier. At the same time, the ship was built on the basis of the 71 Indigenous Aircraft Carrier project, which was developed by Russia, Italy and France. Initially, Vikrant was planned to be transferred to the fleet in 2013, then the deadline was postponed to 2015, later - for another three years, but these deadlines were also shifted.
The length of the aircraft carrier is 257 m, displacement - 37,500 tons. It is planned that the crew of the ship will number about 1400 people. The aircraft carrier will be able to carry about 30 units of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighters, as well as various helicopters.