According to a spokeswoman for the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), the toy manufacturers would employ 6,157 people on a permanent basis. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for India’s part of the global toy market to be increased.
With the greetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via Twitter, the IAC-1 (Indigenous Aircraft Carrier) Vikrant undertook its sail for the maiden sea trials on Wednesday. Being propped up under the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), with about 76 % indigenous content, IAC-1 INS Vikrant sailed to complete its defence trial voyage across the Indian Ocean. INS Vikrant’s majestic reincarnation makes India be among the elite countries which are capable of manufacturing Indigenous Aircraft Carriers.
Talking about the maiden sea sortie of INS Vikrant Raaj Nair, Vice President International Business of SSS Defence said, “it’s a landmark achievement for the nation to have frog leapt into the elite group of nations who have the capability to build a state of the art Carrier. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has put us on the global map in shipbuilding”. Raaj Nair is the former Joint Director of Indian Navy – IT, Space and Telecommunications added that the Indian Navy has many frontline warships built in India but INS Vikrant, the Carrier is the first of its kind.
“Truly a matter of joy and pride. The nation truly is evolving towards having a strong and powerful Bluewater Navy and a strong Regional Naval Power in the IOR region. It really bolsters the INS standing in the world order. With these floating islands, our maritime reach enhances manifold. Vikrant on the eastern front will truly be a force multiplier”, added Raaj Nair.
In their official statement, Indian Navy Officials informed that the main focus of the sea trials is to observe how the Atmanirbhar Aircarrier Vessels will sail through the water of the Indian Ocean. To recall India’s war victory in the year 1971 and to celebrate its 50th anniversary, INS Vikrant is made off the port to sail symbolising Atmanirbhar Defence Manufacturing.
The testing will be done using Russia’s MIG- 29K Jets which will be seen taking off and landing on the Vikrant’s deck. Also, the main propulsion system, PGD and auxiliary equipment will be examined. The 262 meters long and 62 metres wide warship has a capacity of 30 fighter jets and helicopters.
Vikrant is endowed with 14 decks with the flight deck having an area of 2.5 acres. The 44 000 thousand tons weighing Vikrant will prove its legacy with a speed of 36 nautical miles. In addition to this, INS Vikrant will also operate the Kamov-31 Helicopters, MH-60R Multirole Seahawk helicopters and indigenously manufactured advanced light helicopters.
to the Atmanirbhar Defence Manufacturing
As per the officials about 80-85 % of the project cost has been cannoned back into the country, as more than 50 Indian manufacturers were involved directly in the manufacturing of INS Vikrant. The manufacturing of the INS Vikrant gave daily onboard employment to more than 2000 people. In this way, the major share of the 23, 000 crore expenditure, which has been done in manufacturing the INS Vikrant has been floated into the Indian economy itself.
With the manufacturing of the largest and complex warship, India joined the fleet of the countries which have sound capabilities of indigenously designing manufacturing the aircraft carriers. The reports say that it is expected to be delivered and commissioned in the Indian Navy in mid-2022. After the launch in 2013, it has already cleared the harbour’s trial.
It is having a vertical launch system for launching the surface to air missiles. With the beginning of the construction in 2009 and launch in 2013, IAC-1, which is the Make in India’s tool for self-reliant defence manufacturing, is expected to sail through an area of 15, 000 sq. km. The various plans being underlined regarding the Indigenous Defence Manufacturing would keep the Indian system in pace in the global defence arena.
