International Observation ｜ India's first domestic aircraft carrier "Vikrant" is delivered. Why attach so much attention to the development of aircraft carriers?

The Indian Ministry of Defense issued a statement on the 28th that India's first domestic aircraft carrier "Vikrant" was delivered by the Kachin Shipyard in the south to the Navy.

The aircraft carrier was designed by the Indian Naval Naval Design Bureau (DND), and the state -owned Kachin Shipyard (CSL) was built, with a overall localization rate of 76%. With the delivery of the "Vikrant", India has become one of the minority countries with the ability to design and build aircraft carriers.

The "Vikrant" is 262 meters long, 60 meters wide, a standard displacement of 37,500 tons, a full-load displacement of 40,000 tons. The power system is four LM-2500+gas turbines. The total axis horsepower is 160,000 horsepower. , Cruise speed of 18 verses, battery life 7,500 nautical miles. The aircraft carrier can be equipped with 30 aircraft, including the MIG-29K fighter, the KA-3 air warning helicopter, MH-60R multi-purpose helicopter, as well as advanced light helicopters and light fighters made by India.

According to the contract between the Ministry of National Defense and the shipyard, the total cost of the project is close to 200 million rupees. Vicran's planned planned began in 1999, and the contract was awarded Kechin in 2007. The construction was divided into three stages. The first work began to laid keel in February 2009. The aircraft carrier was launched in August 2013 and started the first sea test a year ago. According to the Navy, she also conducted a wide range of user acceptance tests when she completed the fourth and last time on the maritime trial from August 2021 to July 2022.

The Indian domestic aircraft carrier will enter the Navy on August 15 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's independence. This will consolidate India's position in the Indian Ocean (IOR) and its pursuit of the Blue Water Navy.

Part of the equipment system of the new aircraft carrier stores a shortcoming

There were three aircraft carriers before and after India, all of which were purchased outsiders, two of which were purchased from Britain and one from Russia. But in fact, the Indian Navy has always been in service.

In the 1960s, India purchased an aircraft carrier during World War II: the 5th and 20,000 -ton "Dali God" of the Royal Navy's dignified aircraft carrier. It named "Vikrant" and served until 1997. The aircraft carrier used steam ejection in the early stage. Later, after introducing the "sea -larvae" carrier -based aircraft, the aircraft carrier was converted into a sliding off -deck.

As the "Vikrant" is getting older, India purchased the British retired light aircraft carrier "Competitive God" at a price of 50 million pounds in 1986. This aircraft carrier can be equipped with 5-6 sea fighters and 9 sea kings. Helicopter. India renamed it "Virant" and changed its ship to 2017.

The Indian Navy's active aircraft carrier "Vichamatia", also known as the "Super Kings", was the No. 4 ship "Gorshkfov Naval Marshal", which was originally "Kyiv" -class aircraft carrier. In 2004, India and Russia signed a transfer agreement. India "free" obtained the ownership of the aircraft carrier, but needs to pay a high fee to Russia to modify the aircraft carrier. The "Super Kings" drainage of the "Super Kings" renovated is 45,000 tons, 283.5 meters long, and the widest point is 59.8 meters. It can be equipped with up to 30 aircraft, and the carrier -based personnel can reach 2,000.

Experts point out that although the overall performance of the "Vikrant" aircraft carrier is remarkable, the localized components used in it actually lack the gold content, and some equipment systems still have shortcomings, exposing the "greedy greedy of the Indian navy equipment construction" greedy "Seeking a lot" is disconnected from the real level of the military system of the country.

Why do India attach so much attention to the development of aircraft carriers?

According to the "Fifteen Years of Marine Capacity Vision Plan" proposed by the Indian Navy, the Indian Navy will equip at least 3 aircraft carriers to ensure that the Indian Navy can have two aircraft carriers at any time to greatly strengthen control over the Indian Ocean.

By 2027, the Indian Navy plans to equip about 200 various types of ships. The main ships include 18 conventional power submarines, 6 attack nuclear submarines, and 4 ballistic missile nuclear submarines. Build one more.

In addition, the Indian Navy proposed the so -called "two ocean strategies" that must have both the ability to control the Indian Ocean, but also have the ability to impact the Pacific Ocean, based on the Indian Ocean, and can enter the Pacific Ocean at any time. If you want to enter the distant Pacific Ocean away from the homeland, you must rely on the combat group with the core of the aircraft carrier. Only the aircraft carrier battle group really has the ability to independently conduct offense and defense operations.

Why do India attach so much attention to the development of aircraft carriers? Expert analysis said that after India joined the "Quartet Safety Dialogue" mechanism led by the United States, India was committed to showing the role of its role in Western countries such as the United States through the advanced maritime combat platform of the aircraft carrier. India believes that a domestic aircraft carrier can play an important symbol of its maritime strength in other countries.

Experts say that in recent years, the Indian Navy's activities are mainly concentrated in the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. The reason why India is committed to showing the strength of the navy through the development of domestic aircraft carriers is to maintain their interests in the Indian Ocean.

Cover Journalist Yan Lei Intern Yang Chenhang

Some information according to Xinhua News Agency, Nanfang Daily, etc.

- END -