Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday reviewed the progress of the sea trials of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) 'Vikrant' during an on-board visit. The ship had sailed out for the second Sea Trials on October 24.
The maiden sea sortie of the ship was successfully undertaken on August 21. The government aims to commission the IAC Vikrant by August 2022 to commemorate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
During the maiden sea trials, the ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, PGD and auxiliary equipment appeared to be satisfactory.
The ship is now progressing with the second phase of its sea trials, during which detailed trials and testing of propulsion machinery, electrical and electronics suites, deck machinery, lifesaving appliances and ship systems will be progressed.
The IAC, designed by the Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design (DND), is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPS&W).