India’s Aircraft Carriers: Maritime Powerhouses of the Indian Navy

India’s fleet of aircraft carriers, including INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, represents the pinnacle of maritime prowess. These colossal vessels are integral to India’s naval capabilities, equipped with advanced technology and the ability to project power across vast distances.

An Overview of India’s Aircraft Carriers: Strengths and Legacies

INS Vikramaditya

• Commissioning and Origin: Russia’s refurbished Admiral Gorshkov was commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya at Severodvinsk, Russia.

• Capabilities and Dimensions: The ship is over 285 m long and 60 m wide, with 23 decks scaling a height of 60 m, making it the biggest ship in the Indian Navy. 
  • It features 23 decks towering 60 meters high.
• Operational Capacity: accommodates over 1,600 personnel and has a fuel capacity of over 8,000 tonnes of Low Sulphur High-Speed Diesel (LSHSD), enabling operations over distances exceeding 7,000 nautical miles or 13,000 kilometers.
• Aircraft and Armament: Can accommodate more than 30 aircraft, including MiG 29K fighters, KM 31 AEW helicopters, Sea Kings, ALH-Dhruv, and Chetak helicopters. 
  • MiG 29K fighters enhance maritime strike capability with a range exceeding 700 nautical miles and a variety of offensive weaponry.
• Advanced Systems: Features state-of-the-art launch and recovery systems for shipborne aircraft, including the LUNA Landing system for MiGs, DAPS Landing system for Sea Harriers, and advanced flight deck lighting systems.

INS Vikrant

Power and Speed: The 262-metre-long carrier powered by four Gas Turbines (88 MW-total) has a maximum speed of 28 Knots.

• Construction: the project progressed in three phases under contracts between MoD and CSL, with an impressive indigenous content of 76%.
• Features and Capability: Vikrant incorporates high automation for machinery operation, navigation, and survivability. 
  • It is designed to accommodate a mix of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.
• Aircraft and Operations: Capable of operating an air wing comprising 30 aircraft, including MIG-29K fighters, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
• Operational Mode: Utilizes the STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) mode for aircraft operations, featuring a ski-jump for launching aircraft and arrester wire

INS Viraat: Serving India for Over 30 Years

• Commissioning and History: Originally HMS Hermes of the British Royal Navy, commissioned on November 18, 1959. 

• • Acquired by the Indian Navy in 1986 and commissioned as INS Viraat on May 12, 1987.
• Operational Highlights: Participated in ‘Operation Jupiter‘ for peacekeeping in Sri Lanka in July 1989. 
  • Played a crucial role in Operation Parakram and Operation Vijay during the Kargil War.
• International Engagements: Engaged in joint exercises with navies from the US, France, Oman, and others. 
  • Notably participated in Malabar, Varuna, and Naseem-Al-Bahr exercises.
• Operational Statistics: Logged over 22,034 hours of flying from its deck and sailed over 5.8 lakh Nautical Miles during its service from 1987 to 2017.
• Decommissioning: Finally decommissioned from active service on March 06, 2017, marking the end of an illustrious career in India’s maritime history.

Conclusion

INS Viraat, after over three decades of service, remains a testament to India’s naval heritage and strategic presence. Its retirement marked the end of an era, underscoring the continual evolution and significance of India’s aircraft carrier capabilities in safeguarding maritime interests.