Vikrant is the most complex warship ever to be built in the country

India's first indegenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant will be formally commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala, on September 2.

During the event, the Prime Minister Modi will also unveil the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

The aircraft carrier has been designed by Indian Navy's in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by public sector Cochin Shipyard Limited. INS Vikrant has been built with with state of the art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in maritime history of India, the ministry pointed out.

The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is named after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier which had played a vital role in the 1971 war. It has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country as well as over 100 MSMEs.

With the commissioning of Vikrant, India will have two operational Aircraft Carriers, which will bolster the maritime security of the nation.

Vikrant is the most complex warship ever to be built in the country. As much as 76% of the equipment used is indigenously sourced.

It has the ability to operate:
* MiG-29K fighter aircraft
* Kamov-31 Air Early Warning Helicopters
* The MH-60R multi-role helicopter
* Indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH)

With an endurance of over 7,500 nautical miles, Vikrant can travel at a peak speed of about 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots. The warship is 262 meters long, 62 meters wide, and 59 meters tall.

The INS Vikrant will have over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.