LCA lands on INS Vikrant

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In a significant milestone, the Naval variant of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) undertook its maiden landing onboard the country’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) INS Vikrant. 

• It demonstrates India’s capability to design, develop, construct and operate IAC with indigenous fighter aircraft.”

History of Aircraft Carriers in India:

Right from its Independence, India was well aware of the need for aircraft carriers to establish itself as a blue water navy. 

• INS Vikrant (R11)- India’s First Aircraft Carrier: The INS Vikrant was launched in 1945 as Hercules. 
  • India purchased it from Britain in 1957. 
  • It was the first ever carrier for an Asian country and remained so for a long time. 
    • the INS Vikrant saw action during the Goa Liberation Operation in 1961.
    • It played a crucial role in the 1971 war with its aircraft decimating the enemy. 
    • Its new capability inspired the induction of INS Vikramaditya and the plans for its reincarnation.
    • it was decommissioned from active service in 1997.

• INS Viraat- Over 30 Years of Service to the Nation: INS Viraat was originally commissioned by the British Royal Navy as HMS Hermes in 1959. 

• It was commissioned by the Indian Navy in 1987. 
• INS Viraat’s first major operation was ‘Operation Jupiter’ in 1989 as part of Peace Keeping Operations in Sri Lanka, following the breakdown of the Indo- Sri Lankan Accord of 1986. 
• It also played a pivotal role in Operation Parakram, which was carried out in the wake of the 2013 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament. 
• By establishing a blockade against Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil War, the INS Viraat also played a crucial part in Operation Vijay. 

• INS Vikramaditya- Indian Navy’s Biggest Ship: Russia’s refurbished Admiral Gorshkov was commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Vikramaditya at Severodvinsk, Russia in 2013.

•  It is a state-of-the-art ship, capable of operating a versatile range of high-performance aircraft, such as the MiG 29K fighters, KM 31 AEW helicopters, multi-role Seakings, and utility Chetaks. 

• INS Vikrant (IAC-1): The Self-Reliant Rebirth: Designed by Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
  • The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is named in honour of her historic predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier, which played an essential part in the war of 1971.
  • It has been built with state-of-the-art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India.
  • The 262-meter-long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and advanced than her predecessor. 
  • The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totaling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots. 
  • It has an overall indigenous content of 76%.
  • The ship is capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy). 
• Relevance: It would provide India with two operational aircraft carriers, which will greatly improve the country’s maritime security.
  • It serves as a shining example of the country’s pursuit of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and gives the Government’s “Make in India” initiative further momentum. 
  • With the IAC Vikrant, India has joined an elite group of countries with the specialised capacity to design and construct an aircraft carrier domestically, including the U.S.A., U.K., France, Russia, and China.

Source:TH