INS Vikrant, India’s first home-built aircraft carrier, has returned to service after a refit post-commissioning at Cochin Shipyard Limited. It has now rejoined the Navy’s Western Fleet, according to officials. The officials said that it was in the refit state at the state-owned shipyard for about six months. This development follows India’s discussion of a deal with France to buy 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for INS Vikrant, which is currently using MiG-29K fighters on its deck.
The twin-engine deck-based French fighters are expected to cost about ₹50,000 crore. They are designed for long-term maritime combat operations.
In a post on social media platform X, the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command said, “#INSVikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, joined the @IN_WesternFleet, in a significant enhancement to the maritime power and reach of the #IndianNavy’s ‘Sword Arm’. The Carrier Battle Group led by @IN_Vikramaditya inducted @IN_R11Vikrant with a multi domain exercise and twin Carrier fighter operations in the Arabian Sea.”
Two years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned a new aircraft carrier into the Indian Navy. It took 13 years to build and cost ₹20,000 crore. The carrier weighs 45,000 tonnes and is 262 meters long. It has 15 decks, 2,300 compartments, and can carry 30 aircraft. It has a crew of 1,600 people and can travel 7,500 nautical miles. It was built in India, with 76% of the materials and components resourced from India.
India holds decades of experience operating aircraft carriers. Following the first INS Vikrant (British origin) from 1961 to 1997, INS Viraat (British origin) from 1987 to 2016, and INS Vikramaditya (Russian origin) from 2013 onward, Vikrant is the fourth aircraft carrier to be operated by the navy. It is named after India’s first aircraft carrier.