Why in
news?
- In a significant development, the naval version of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) made its first arrested landing on the deck of India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
- The Navy currently operates Russian MiG-29K fighters from INS Vikramaditya which will also fly from the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant once it enters service.
Background
Aircraft carriers:
- An aircraft carrier is a naval warship from which the fighter jets and airplanes may take off and land on them. It serves as a seagoing airbase and allows the naval force to project air power worldwide without the requirement for local bases for aircraft operations.
- Vikramaditya aircraft carrier is currently in service with Indian Navy. INS Vikrant is the indigenous aircraft carrier under construction. INS Vishal will be the next aircraft carrier of this class.
INS Vikramaditya
- INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier presently in service with the Indian Navy. It was originally commissioned in 1987 with the Soviet Navy and later served under the Russian navy and was decommissioned in 1996.
- The aircraft carrier has been retrofitted with a Barak Missile system jointly developed by India and Israel.
- INS Vikramaditya can carry out its operations up to a range of 13000 km and can carry over 1600 personal onboard.
- The sensors and communication systems include the fitment of Long Range Air Surveillance Radar, Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite etc., to maintain surveillance in the area with radius of 500 km around the ship.
- The aircraft carrier equipped with its kamov anti-submarine helicopters provides the Indian Navy a tactical advantage against the submarines which cannot hit back on the helicopters.
- INS Vikramaditya has significantly increased the strength and overall effectiveness of the Indian Navy.
INS Vikrant (IAC-I)
- INS Vikrant (IAC-I) is the first aircraft carrier manufactured in India for the Indian Navy. The aircraft carrier has been built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited and Kochi, Kerala.
- The motto of INS Vikrant is “Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprdhah (I defeat those who fight against me)”, is taken from Rigveda.
- The construction of INS Vikrant received government approval in January 2003 and was ordered in 2004. It is still not commissioned.
INS Vishal (IAC-II)
- INS Vishal is a planned aircraft carrier for the Indian Navy which is currently in design phase and is to be built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. It will be the first supercarrier to be constructed in India.
- INS Vishal will have a new design that will be featuring significant changes from INS Vikrant. It will have an increased displacement and possibly an EMALS CATOBAR system for launching heavier fighter jets and aircraft.
