Current Affairs
Explained

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    11th Feb, 2020
  • Context

    • Major structural and outfitting work of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) has been completed.
    • Major milestone activities including starting of Main Propulsion machinery and trials of Power Generation machinery have been completed.
    • Trials of other ship’s equipment and systems are presently in progress.
  • What is the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Project?

    • INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1), is an aircraft carrier under construction by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala for the Indian Navy.
    • It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India.
    • Cabinet Committee on Security approval for IAC was accorded in 2003 and Cochin Shipyard commenced construction in 2005.
    • The 37,500-tonne Short Take off but Assisted Recovery (STOBAR) Carrier – named the Vikrant – has been in the works since it was sanctioned in 2003.
    • The carrier was to be completed by 2018. On the reason for delay in the completion of the project as compared to the initial timelines was affected due to delay in supply of aviation equipment from Russia.
  • Who is implementing this project?

    • Under the terms of the Indo–French MOU of 1988, an agreement was signed with DCN of France for assistance by its design group, STCAN, in the concept design of the Sea Control Ship (SCS) and for transfer of technology.
    • By 1990, the concept study by France’s DCN, assisted by the INDLT, had evolved designs for a 25,000 ton catapult version and a ski jump version and confirmed that the carrier could be built in the Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
  • Why an Empowered Apex Committee (EAC)?

    • The progress of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-P71) project was reviewed by the Empowered Apex Committee (EAC) headed by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar on January 20 at Cochin Shipyard Limited.
    • The review critically examined the current status of the project as the IAC is in an advanced stage of construction and is scheduled to commence Basin Trials in early 2020 followed by the sea trials by mid 2020.
    • This is the 13th EAC Review Meeting of the project and the first to be held after the signing of the Phase-III of the IAC contract on October 31, 2019, between Government of India, Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited.
  • What is the current status of the project?

    • IAC construction is in an advanced state with all four gas turbines, main engines having been started, power generation systems comprising eight diesel alternators ready and trials of ship’s major systems and auxiliary equipment in progress.
    • IAC had successfully completed the pre-contractors sea trials dry dock work package in December 2019.
    • Basin trials are conducted for proving the propulsion, transmission and shafting systems and is scheduled in early half of 2020.
Quick Recap
  1. India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier—INS Vikrant—by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala—for the Indian Navy.
  2. INS Vikrant—first aircraft carrier to be built in India—approval accorded in 2003.
  3. Empowered Apex Committee—headed by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar.
  4. INS Vishal—Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 2 (IAC-2)—planned aircraft carrier to be built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy

Verifying, please be patient.