Cochin Shipyard marks new history, 'Vikrant' commissioning on September 2

KOCHI: Cochin Shipyard is marking a golden history when the first indigenously built aircraft carrier Vikrant is inducted into the Navy. The shipyard has completed the Rs 2,800-crore development projects and started the initial steps to build an aircraft carrier twice the size of the Vikrant.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission Vikrant on September 2 at the Shipyard venue.

Kochi has achieved the status of being one of the few shipyards in the world capable of building aircraft carriers. Top sources in the shipyard said that the complex task of adopting the latest technology through planning, execution and coordination of various agencies has been successfully completed. With Vikrant joining the force, the aim is to win orders from the global shipbuilding and repair market.

If the order is received, the construction of a 70,000-tonne aircraft carrier can be completed in five years. A preliminary design was prepared and discussions with the Navy has began.

Overcoming challenges

The construction of Vikrant was undertaken capitalizing on the experience and courage of aircraft carriers repairs. Vikrant was designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau.

Although the order was received in 2004, the construction started in April 2005. This is due to delay in availability of high quality steel. The first phase was completed in 2013 and the ship was launched in 2020.

Technologies developed after the design was prepared were also added to Vikrant. New technology were adopted to land and take off war plane. The construction was completed in coordination with 500 public and private institutions.

Repair centre

The 970-crore international repair centre at Wellington Yard will be able to repair large ships. The shipyard has been continuously profitable for 30 years.There are existing orders worth Rs 6,500 crore.