Kochi, Jun 25: The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) will be commissioned as INS Vikrant in the first half of 2022 and it would be the most potent sea-based asset, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.
Addressing Navy officers and sailors at the Naval Base here, after reviewing the progress of construction of first IAC at the Cochin Shipyard, the Minister said the ship shall operate MiG-29K fighter aircraft, Kamov-31 Air Early Warning Helicopters, the soon to be inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter and the indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters.
It would offer an incomparable military instrument with its ability to project Air Power over long distances, including Air Interdiction, Anti-Surface Warfare, offensive and defensive Counter-Air, Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare and Airborne Early Warning.
Describing the IAC as a shining example of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the IAC has nearly 75 per cent indigenous content – from design to steel used in construction to key weapons and sensors.
