First 'Made-In-India' aircraft carrier to be Commissioned Next Year

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India's first 'made-in-India' Aircraft Carrier - INS Vikrant - will be commissioned next year and its combat capability, reach and versatility will add formidable capabilities in the country's defence. During his visit at the southern naval command in Kochi on Friday,  Singh described it as "India's pride and a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat". INS Vikrant is also known as the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 or IAC-1. "The project was originally approved by the NDA government and has made significant progress in recent past despite COVID-19.

"Commissioning of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) next year will be a befitting tribute to 75 years of India's independence", Singh said in the statement read out to the media. "The combat capability, reach and versatility of the aircraft carrier will add formidable capabilities in the defence of our country and help secure India's interests in the maritime domain," the Defence Minister said."Our impetus to modernisation, harnessing India's indigenous industry and know-how, is a key priority. Forty-two of the 44 warships on order being built at Indian shipyards is a testimony to this", he said. Singh said the Indian Navy remains poised and combat ready to tackle any challenge.