Aircraft carrier Vikrant sets out for second round of sea trials

During the second round of sea trials, a thorough performance check will be carried out. 

<p>Image: India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant sets out for second round trials</p>

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant sailed out on Sunday for the second time within three months. Designed by the Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the Vikrant is an example of the government’s quest for the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' campaign.

The carrier, which 76% of indigenous components, carried out the first sea trials in August this year. The aircraft carrier is expected to join the Indian Navy fleet next year. The newly-built aircraft carrier is 262 m long, 62 m at its widest part and has a height of 59 m, including the superstructure. 

The aircraft carrier has 14 decks in all. These include five decks in the superstructure. The ship has over 2,300 compartments which are designed to accommodate around 1700 crew members, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers. In June this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had reviewed the progress of its construction at Kochi harbour. 

During the second sea trials, a thorough performance check will be carried out. According to reports, the complete habitat, including each of the over 2,300 compartments of the aircraft carrier will be assessed. In its first sea trial, the performance of hull, main propulsion, power generations and distribution and auxiliary equipment were tested. The results were said to be extremely satisfactory.

Efforts are on to order more carrier-borne aircraft ahead of the Vikrant's formal entry into service. The Navy currently operates Russian MiG-29K fighter jets from INS Vikramaditya, the force's only operational aircraft carrier. To augment the process of acquiring aircraft to operate from both carriers, the Navy had in 2017 issued a 'request for information' for procuring 57 twin-engine carrier fighters. Currently, trial of the contenders -- Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, Dassault Aviation Rafale and Saab Gripen-E -- are being planned at the Shore Based Test Facility in Goa.