New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday commissioned India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant into the Indian Navy. The carrier is touted as the largest ship ever built in India’s maritime history, complete with state-of-the-art facilities. It was built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala, at a cost of over Rs 20,000 crore.
Shaping a Dream Building a Nation
Designed by #IndianNavy constructed by @cslcochin, a shining beacon of #AatmaNirbharBharat, #IACVikrant is all set to be commissioned into the #IndianNavy.#INSVikrant#LegendisBack@PMOIndia @DefenceMinIndia @shipmin_india @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/RVweCActMW
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 2, 2022
Ahead of the commissioning of INS Vikrant, PM Modi said, “Vikrant is large and grand, Vikrant is distinct, Vikrant is special. Vikrant is not just a warship, it is the evidence of the hard work, talent, impact, and commitment of India of the 21st century.”
“Until now, only developed nations built such aircraft carriers. Today, India has joined this league and taken another step towards being a developed nation,” the PM said.
INS Vikrant is named after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier that played a vital role in the 1971 war. With this feat, India joins a select group of nations such as the US, the UK, Russia, China, and France who have the capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Kerala Governor Arif Mohamad Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden and top officials of Navy and the Cochin Shipyard Limited, among others.
(Vinayak)
