Image source: topwar.ru
Indian first self-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant became part of the Indian Navy. The solemn ceremony of opening of the ship was in the port of Cochin city in the Indian state of Kerala, located on the Malabar coast of the Arabian sea. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra modi, and held her.
In late July, the ship completed the test, after controlling access to the sea, and then began the preparation of an aircraft carrier to the transfer of the Indian Navy. Originally the ceremony was appointed on 1 September, but then was postponed for one day and was held today, i.e., September 2, 2022. The aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which translated from Sanskrit means "Brave" or "Brave man", now officially part of the Indian Navy.
Another event occurred today during a launch ceremony of the aircraft carrier, the Prime Minister of India Narendra modi presented the updated flag of the Indian Navy, which removed the "colonial" symbols - the cross of St. George, depicted on the flag of England. Now he is missing. The new flag is a white flag, in the upper left corner shows the national flag of India, next to the emblem of the Navy in the octagon under her motto in Sanskrit: "be gracious to us Varuna". (Varuna - God of the ocean)
Image source: topwar.ru
The INS Vikrant full displacement - about 45 thousand tons, a hull length of 262 meters and a width of 62 metres. There are four gas turbines LM2500+ capacity of more than 80 MW (110 000 HP). Speed up to 28 knots. Cruising range -7500 nautical miles. Crew – 1560 people. The armament consists of four Italian 76 mm artkompleks, two units of vertical launch missiles "Barak 1" and "Barak-8" Israeli production, the Russian anti-aircraft artkompleksov AK-630.
In the wing entered the Russian MiG-29K/KUB, Russian Ka-31 and the American MH-60R. In the future, it is possible to replace the Indian Tejas fighter or the French Rafale M or the American F-18 Super Hornet.