New Delhi, Sep 2 (BNA): Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier on Friday, underlining his government’s efforts to boost domestic production.
After 17 years of construction and testing, Modi commissioned the INS Vikrant – India’s second-largest naval aircraft carrier and largest warship ever – at the state-run shipyard in the south, according to Reuters.
“Today, India has joined those countries in the world that can manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier using indigenous technology,” Modi said. “It is a symbol of indigenous potential, local resources, and indigenous skills.”
Designed to accommodate a crew of about 1,600 and a fleet of 30 aircraft, the Vikrant will be based on a Russian-designed MIG-29K aircraft already in service from another Indian carrier, INS Vikramaditya, which India purchased from Russia.
Boeing and France’s Dassault are seeking to supply India with more than two dozen aircraft for Vikrant.
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