India’s First Indigenously Built Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant Gets A Scale Model At Museum Junction In Thiruvananthapuram

On Monday, a large-scale model of India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, was dedicated to Thiruvananthapuram by the Indian Navy. This step emphasises the importance of its long-standing maritime connection with Kerala while highlighting the indigenous warship-building capabilities of India.

The model was dedicated by the Governor of Kerala, Rajendra Vishwanath, in a ceremony held at Museum Junction, Thiruvananthapuram. The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, was present at the event along with the Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram, V.V. Rajesh, and former Chief of Naval Staff (CMS) Admiral R. Hari Kumar.

Among the other dignitaries who attended the event were naval veterans and senior state government officials. This model of INS Vikrant reproduces its unique features and configurations. It is an exclusive opportunity for visitors to witness and examine the well-crafted design and distinctive engineering features of India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier.

In addition to this, the applied aspects of technology used for designing and constructing the warship are showcased through this model. The dedication of the INS Vikrant model brings in a scope for public attention to the naval engineering achievements and shipbuilding skills of India.

This model, built on a 1:24 scale, serves as a symbol of the Indian Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The modern INS Vikrant was inducted into active service in the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 September, 2022.

The warship got its name from INS Vikrant (R11), the first aircraft carrier of India, which was decommissioned in 1997. The design work of the modern carrier began in 1999, and in 2009 the keel was laid. The launch followed in 2013. Before its induction into service, the aircraft carrier was put through extensive trials.

The first INS Vikrant was commissioned in 1961. This was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier designed originally by the British during World War II. The aircraft carrier was initially constructed for the British Royal Navy and was called HMS Hercules. But construction was paused post-war, and the carrier was left incomplete.

Later, the same vessel was purchased by India in 1957 and, after proper construction, it was put into service in 1961 as the first aircraft carrier of India. The role of this vessel in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War is worth mentioning, specifically in the enforcement of the naval blockade of Eastern Pakistan.

Before the decommissioning of the ship, it went through numerous refits to keep up with the standards of modern naval warfare. The ship was scrapped in 2014 following its decommissioning in 1997.

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