Modi commissions India’s first locally-built naval aircraft carrier
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (September 2, 2022) commissioned the country's first locally-built naval aircraft carrier putting India in a select league of countries with domestic capability to develop such large vessels.
Modi unveiled a plaque to mark the induction of "INS Vikrant" named after its predecessor that played a crucial role in 1971, into the Navy, our New Delhi correspondent reports.
The INS Vikrant has been built at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore.
Equipped with state-of-the-art features, the 262m long and 62m wide carrier can operate air wing consisting of 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, besides domestically manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).
"Today, India has joined those countries in the world which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today, INS Vikrant has filled the country with a new confidence," Modi said, while addressing a large gathering ahead of the commissioning ceremony.
He said the aircraft carrier was is a "floating airfield, a floating town" and said the power generated in it can light up 5,000 houses.
Modi also unveiled the Indian Navy's new Ensign which is inspired by the 17th century Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji.
"Today on the historic date of September 2, 2022, India has taken off a trace of slavery, a burden of slavery. The Indian Navy has got a new flag from today. Till now, the identity of slavery remained on the flag of Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the new Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky", he said and dedicated it to the legendary Maratha king.
Modi said INS Vikrant is an example of his government's push to make India's defence sector self-reliant.
"When the British came to India, they used to be intimidated by the power of Indian ships and trade through them. So they decided to break the back of India's maritime power. History is witness to how strict restrictions were imposed on Indian ships and merchants by enacting a law in the British Parliament at that time," Modi said.
Commenting on the changing geo-strategic situation, he said in the past, security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean were ignored for long.
"But, today this area is a major defence priority of the country for us. That is why we are working in every direction, from increasing the budget for the Navy to increasing its capability". A strong India will pave the way for a peaceful and safe world, he said.