PM Modi Commissions First India-Made Aircraft Carrier Amid China Concerns
India has commissioned its first domestically built aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant, as the country seeks to bolster its navy capabilities amid growing concerns over the Chinese regime’s assertiveness in the region.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted the 262-meter-long and 62-meter-tall aircraft carrier at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. in Kochi on Sept. 2. The INS Vikrant can carry 1,600 sailors and displaces about 43,000 tons, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense.
Modi said the commissioning of Vikrant signifies India’s progress toward self-reliance as it places India in an elite group of nations with the capability to domestically build an aircraft carrier.
“INS Vikrant is not just a warship. This is a testament to the hard work, talent, influence, and commitment of 21st century of India,” he said in his speech.
The ministry said Vikrant is “the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India” and can operate a fleet of 30 aircraft, including fighter jets and multi-role helicopters.
According to the ministry, the carrier has a maximum speed of 28 knots and an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles. It is designed with a high degree of automation for machinery operations, ship navigation, and survivability.
Security Concerns in the Indian Ocean
Modi said the border’s defense is now a top priority, citing the long-ignored security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and the Indian Ocean.
“But today this area is a major defense 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,” the prime minister said.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the commissioning of Vikrant demonstrates that India is “fully capable of meeting the collective security needs of the region” and that India’s navy is ready to respond to any crisis.
“We believe in a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Our efforts in this regard are guided by ‘SAGAR’ [Security and Growth for All in the Region] as envisioned by the prime minister,” Singh said.
China has expanded its military footprint in the Indian Ocean. India and China were recently at odds over the docking of a Chinese “spy ship” in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port for a seven-day replenishment, which India had strongly opposed due to security concerns.
Sri Lanka initially requested a delay in the ship’s arrival over India’s objections, but the ship was eventually approved following “extensive consultations at a high level.”
On Aug. 19, India took part in a large-scale joint military exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, which involved 15 other nations. India sent four Su-30 MKI fighters and two C-17 aircraft to the biennial drill.
