INS VIKRANT

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Context: The successful landing and take off of the indigenous LCA Navy on India's first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is a momentous step forward towards the realisation of our collective vision of AatmaNirbharBharat. The maiden landing of the Mig-29K also heralds the integration of the fighter aircraft with INS Vikrant.

Details:

INS Vikrant:

About:

• It is country’s maiden indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1).
• Built by: Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
• The IAC was commissioned in 2022 making it the most potent sea-based asset. 
• Capabilities: can project Air Power over long distances, including Air Interdiction, Anti-Surface Warfare, offensive and defensive Counter-Air, Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare and Airborne Early Warning.                                       
• It has a STOBAR (short take off but arrested recovery) system of aircraft launch and recovery on the flight deck.
• It is armed with the Barak LR-SAM (long range surface-to-air missile) air defence and AK-630close-in weapon system besides a slew of advanced sensors and an electronic warfare suite.

Other specifications:

• It is expected to have a top speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 kmph) and is propelled by four gas turbines.
• Its endurance is 7,500 nautical miles at 18 knots (32 kmph) speed.
• The vessel can carry up to 1,500 personnel and has 2,300 compartments.
• The ship shall operate MiG-29K fighter aircraft, Kamov-31 Air Early Warning Helicopters, the soon to be inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter and the indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters.
• Italian, Russian help: While the design was done with help from the Italian firm Fincantieri, the Russians collaborated in designing and developing the aviation complex. 

Significance of IAC:

• Shining example of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ as it has nearly 75 per cent indigenous content - from design to steel used in construction to key weapons and sensors. 
• It help secure India's interests in maritime domain.
• It will help to realize the vision of SAGAR(Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the wider goal of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific to ensure peace and stability in the region.

LCA:

Background:

• In 1983, the Government of India established the LCA project with the initial goal to develop a new light combat aircraft to replace the ageing IAF fighters,especially the MiG-21 variants.
• In 1984, the Government of India established Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the aegis of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to manage the LCA programme.

Tejas under LCA Programme:

• The HAL Tejas is an Indian, single engine, delta wing, light multirole fighter.
• In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas". It is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.
• The Tejas is the second supersonic fighter developed by HAL after the HAL HF-24 Marut.
• The Tejas currently has three production models – Tejas Mark 1, Mark 1A and trainer variant.

The Mikoyan MiG-29K:

• It is a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau.
• The MiG-29K was developed in the late 1980s from the MiG-29M.
• Mikoyan describes it as a 4+ generation aircraft.

Equipment: The MiG-29K/KUB carries modern targeting and navigation system, quad-redundant fly-by-wire flight control system, radar and optical locating stations, helmet-mounted targeting/display system, communications and self-defense equipment, cockpit instrumentation and other aids that working together provide high flight safety, effective use of weapons, as well as handling of navigation and training tasks.

Armament: The MiG-29K/KUB is equipped with short- and medium-range air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, including Kh-31A/P high-speed missiles, guided aerial bombs, unguided rockets and bombs, and an internal gun.

Main benefits:

• Round-the-clock and all-weather capability
• High fighter and attack mission capability
• High flight safety and combat survivability
• high level of maintainability
• Mature operation system in the Russian and foreign air forces.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1896759