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Speaking at the event, Mr Antony said INS
Vikramaditya would significantly enhance the reach
and capability of the Indian Navy. He said, the
country has a rich maritime history and the Indian
Ocean has guided our fate over the centuries.
"India's economic development is dependent
on the seas and safeguarding the nation's maritime
interests is central to our national policy. Aircraft
carriers have been part of the Indian Navy's force
structure since our independence and have effectively
served the country over the past five decades
or so. The induction of 'Vikramaditya' with its
integral MiG29K fighters and Kamov-31 helicopters,
not only reinforces this central policy, but also
adds a new dimension to our Navy's operational
capabilities. The meaning of 'Vikramaditya', which
literally translates into "Strong as the
Sun" is complemented by the Ship's motto
-"Strike Far, Strike Sure",he said.
Reflecting the mood at the ceremony, Mr Antony
said, 'the event realizes the vision of capability-based
transformation of the Indian Navy that was conceived
more than a decade ago'. Calling it a Red Letter
Day in the history of India- Russia cooperation,
Mr Antony said this relationship remains a matter
of the highest priority for both nations for our
mutual benefit and as a factor of global peace
and stability.
"The successful culmination of Project
11430 truly symbolizes the time-tested Special
and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our
two great nations. The Project has propelled the
strategic partnership between our nations to a
new level. The relationship between our two countries
based on mutual trust and belief has withstood
the test of time and the result is for the entire
world to see in the form of 'Vikramaditya'. As
the ship sails into its home waters in the Indian
Ocean Region, INS 'Vikramaditya' will be a befitting
tribute to our long-standing relationship",
he said.
Describing the Project 11430 as a unique one,
Mr Antony said, it was a challenging task for
both the Russian and the Indian sides and congratulated
the entire team for converting the 'Dream Project'
into a reality. "The transformation of INS
'Vikramaditya' is an engineering marvel, which
has tested the professionalism, capability and
perseverance of the Indian Navy and the Russian
industry, especially the Sevmash Shipyard",
he said and expressed confidence that all possible
support would be extended by Russia to ensure
that the ship serves India effectively and efficiently
for the duration of its expected operational life
cycle.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Naval
Staff Admiral DK Joshi said the INS Vikramaditya
will bridge the time-gap that may come up between
the INS Viraat and the Indigenously built aircraft
carrier Vikrant.It will also help achieving our
medium term goal of operating two aircraft carriers.
A large number of dignitaries including the
Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Mr Dmitry Rogozin
and Defence Minister Mr Shoigu, the Chief of Naval
Staff Admiral DK Joshi, the Indian Ambassador
to Russia Mr Ajay Malhotra, the Defence Secretary
Mr RK Mathur, the DG Acquisition Mr SB Agnihotri
were present on the occasion.
Mr Rogozin said INS Vikramaditya symbolises
the close friendship between India and Russia
and expressed confidence that it will grow in
the coming years.
About INS Vikramaditya
INS Vikramaditya, the floating airfield has
an overall length of about 284 meters and a maximum
beam of about 60 meters, stretching as much as
three football fields put together. Standing about
20 storeys tall from keel to the highest point,
the sheer sight of this 44,500 tonne mega structure
of steel is awe inspiring. The ship has a total
of 22 decks.
With over 1,600 personnel on board, INS Vikramaditya
is literally a 'Floating City'. With a capacity
of over 8,000 tonnes of LSHSD, she is capable
of operations up to a range of over 7,000 nautical
miles or 13000 kms.
To enable this 44,500 tonnes floating steel city
to cut through the choppy seas with speeds of
up to 30 knots, she is powered by 08 new generation
steam boilers generating a total output power
of 180,000 SHP. These boilers power four enormous
propellers, each greater in diameter than twice
the height of an average male. Such a four propeller
- four shaft configuration is another first in
the Indian Navy.
The power generation capacity onboard is about
18 megawatts enough to cater to the lighting requirement
of a mini city. An extensive revamp of sensors
including fitment of Long range Air Surveillance
Radars, Advanced Electronic Warfare Suite makes
the ship capable of maintaining a surveillance
bubble of over 500 kms around the ship.
The ship has the ability to carry over 30 aircraft
comprising an assortment of MiG 29K/Sea Harrier,
Kamov 31, Kamov 28, Sea King, ALH-Dhruv and Chetak
helicopters. The MiG 29K swing role fighter is
the main offensive platform and provides a quantum
jump for the Indian Navy's maritime strike capability.
These fourth generation air superiority fighters
provide a significant fillip for the Indian Navy
with a range of over 700 nm and an array of weapons
including anti-ship missiles, Beyond Visual Range
air-to-air missiles, guided bombs and rockets.
The ship is equipped with state of the art launch
and recovery systems along with aids to enable
smooth and efficient operation of ship borne aircraft.
Major systems include the LUNA Landing system
for MiGs, DAPS Landing system for Sea Harriers
and Flight deck lighting systems.
The heart of the operational network that infuses
life into the combat systems onboard the ship
is the Computer aided Action Information Organisation
(CAIO) system, LESORUB-E, with the capability
to gather data from ship's sensors and data links
and to process, collate and assemble comprehensive
tactical pictures. This state of the art system
has been specifically designed keeping in mind
the essential requirement on the carrier for fighter
control and direction.
One of the most prominent equipment fitted on
the super structure is the Resistor-E radar complex.
Resistor-E is the automated system designed for
providing air traffic control, approach/landing
and short range navigation for ship borne aircraft.
This complex along with its various sub-systems
provides navigation and flight data to ship borne
aircraft operating at extended ranges from the
mother ship. The precision approach guidance system
aids the fighters on approach to be directed down
to a distance of 30 meters short of flight deck.
INS Vikramaditya also boasts of a very modern
communication complex, CCS MK II, to meet her
external communication requirement. Installation
of Link II tactical data system allows her to
be fully integrated with the Indian Navy's network
centric operations.
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