INS Vikramaditya to undergo refit with enhanced combat capabilities
Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya, which was commissioned in the Indian Navy in November 2013, will undergo refit at an overall cost of Rs 1207.5 crore at the Cochin Shipyard Limited.
An agreement for the same was signed for Short Refit and Dry Docking (SRDD) of the aircraft carrier on Saturday between the Defence Ministry and Cochin Shipyard Limited.
The project envisages the involvement of nearly 50 MSMEs and would lead to employment generation for more than 3500 personnel.
After completion of the refit, INS Vikramaditya will join the active fleet of the Indian Navy with upgraded combat capability.
In a statement the defence ministry said that the project is an important step towards development of Cochin Shipyard Limited as Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Hub for supporting the industrial ecosystem of India.
INS Vikramaditya
INS Vikramaditya is a highly advanced aircraft carrier in the Indian Navy, serving as one of its flagship warships. Originally commissioned as the Baku in 1987 for the Soviet Navy, it was later acquired by India from Russia in 2004, after undergoing significant upgrades and refits. The ship was officially inducted into the Indian Navy on November 16, 2013, and renamed INS Vikramaditya, which means "brave as the sun" in Sanskrit.
At 284 meters long and with a displacement of around 45,000 tons, INS Vikramaditya is one of the largest and most powerful ships in the Indian Navy's fleet. It is equipped with a ski-jump flight deck, which allows it to launch a variety of aircraft, including the Russian-made MiG-29K fighter jets and the Sea Harrier. It also has the capability to carry a complement of helicopters, such as the Kamov Ka-31 for surveillance and the Sea King for anti-submarine warfare.
The aircraft carrier plays a crucial role in projecting India's naval power and maintaining maritime security in the region.
The refits will help the ship remains a vital asset to India's naval operations and a symbol of its growing maritime strength.