The Indigenpous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) completed its fourth phase of sea trials on Sunday, the Indian Navy informed. During the drill, trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard were undertaken. The aircraft carrier, built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore, is set to be delivered to the Indian Navy by end of this month followed by its commissioning around August 15 to commemorate the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
The Indian Navy in its statement said, “During the sea trials integrated trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the Aviation Facilities Complex equipment were undertaken.”
"The IAC delivery is being targeted in the end of this month followed by its commissioning in August 2022 as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav", said Indian Navy.
"The fourth phase of sea trials for IAC has been successfully completed on Sunday during which integrated trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the aviation facilities were undertaken," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.
The ship has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built at the state-owned Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
The warship, with a displacement of 37,500 tonnes, Vikrant has put India in a select league -- only the US, the UK, Russia, France and China have the capability to build aircraft carriers.
It will operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters and the indigenous advanced light helicopters. It has been named after the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant operated by the navy from 1961 to 1997.
The maiden sea Trials of the IAC were successfully completed in August last year. This was followed by the second and third phases of sea trials in October and January respectively. During these three phases of sea trials, endurance testing of propulsion machinery, electrical and electronic suites, deck machinery, life-saving appliances, the ship's navigation and communication systems were undertaken.
(With Inputs from PTI)
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