Vikrant-class

The Vikrant is the first aircraft carrier designed and constructed domestically in India. Developed under the Project 71 Air Defence Ship program authorized in 1999, the vessel was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. The Warship Design Bureau produced the design, and construction utilized specialized DMR 249 grade steel manufactured in Indian facilities. The keel was laid on February 28, 2009, and the hull was launched on August 12, 2013. Following sea trials that began in August 2021, the carrier entered service on September 2, 2022.

The vessel utilizes a Short Take-Off, Barrier-Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) configuration, featuring a ski-jump for aircraft launch and arresting gears for recovery. The flight deck incorporates a specialized lighting system for night operations and two elevators positioned to allow flight operations to continue during aircraft movement between the deck and hangar. Internal facilities include an aircraft hangar equipped with 360-degree rotatable turntables for aircraft positioning. The ship contains a combat management system developed by the private sector and specialized centers for ship control and damage control. Onboard medical facilities include a hospital complex with an intensive care unit and CT scan capabilities. The carrier operates an air group comprising multirole fighters and helicopters configured for airborne early warning, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue.

The carrier achieved final operational clearance in November 2023. It has participated in multiple dual carrier exercises alongside the INS Vikramaditya, including the Milan 2024 multinational exercise. In August 2024, the vessel integrated with the Western Fleet for operations in the Arabian Sea. During a 2025 regional standoff, the ship led a carrier battle group in the Northern Arabian Sea under Operation Sindoor. International operations include Exercise Konkan 2025, conducted with the Royal Navy’s UK Carrier Strike Group. In late 2025, the vessel conducted its first foreign port visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka, for an international fleet review. During this deployment, it executed Operation Sagar Bandhu, delivering relief materials following a regional cyclone.