Vikrant reborn in indigenous avataar

Caption:  Elizabeth Antony, wife of Defence Minister AK Antony, applying Kumkum on Indian aircraft Carrier as part of the launch ceremony

Chennai:
The indigenous Aircraft Carrier ( P-71) designed by the Indian Navy ( Directorate General of Naval Design)  and built by Cochin Shipyard was launched on Monday.

The P-71 is one of the most prestigious warship project of the Ministry of Defense  and is unprecedented in terms of size and complexity compared to any indigenous warship project till date. With this project, India becomes the fourth nation to join the select club of 40,000 Tonnes aircraft carrier designers and builders.

The ship has a length of 262 m and maximum  breadth of 62 m . It will be propelled by two shafts, each coupled to two LM 2500 gas turbines developing power sufficient to attain speed in excess of 28 knots. The ship will have two runways for take off and an angled deck with arrester wires for landing. The system is capable of operating STOBAR aircraft including the indigenous LCA, as well as a range of helicopters. The Aircraft Carrier would carry a complement of a mix  of fixed wing and rotary aircrafts in its hanger.

The Aircraft Carrier is a mini floating city, with a flight deck area covering the size of two football fields. The power generated in the vessel can light the entire city of Kochi.  The length of  Cabling would be 2700 KM which, if  laid end to end would stretch from Kochi to Delhi. The ship would have a complement of 1600 personnel.

The carrier is designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability. Long range surface to Air missile (LRSAM) system with Multi function radar (MFR) and close in weapon system (CIWS) is envisaged for the carrier. The ship will be equipped with the most modern C/D Band Early Air warning radar, V/UHF Tactical Air Navigational and Direction Finding systems. The carrier would also have carrier control approach radar to aid air operations, integration of all weapon systems onboard the carrier would be through an indigenously developed Combat Management System (CMS).

Major outfitting work of the ship is scheduled for completion by 2016, after which Basin Trials and extensive sea trials of the ship will be progressed prior delivery. The project was fraught with many challenges  right from the  special steel used in construction,  to the fabrication and erection of the large blocks and lowering of the huge main equipment.  These challenges were overcome by  the innovative and creative workforce of CSL. 

The shipyard has developed a number of weld procedures and introduced automation to ensure quality of welding and increase productivity. The yard has adopted techniques to increase production rates by going in for grand assembly of blocks and pre outfitting to the extent feasible. Informatively, the keel of the ship was laid on 28th February 2009. The launching of the ship in four years time is a creditable achievement for a ship of its size and complexity.

The major outfitting of work of the ship is scheduled for completion by 2016, after which Basin trials and extensive seatrials of the ship will be progressed prior delivery.

Defence Minister A K Antony,  Shipping minister G K Vasan,  Minister of State for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Prof K V Thomas,  chief of naval staff Admiral D K Joshi were present during the occasion.