INS Vikrant: The Indian Navy has got its second Aircraft Carrier (IAC). Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated INS Vikrant to the service of the nation at Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, Kerala this morning.

“The whole of India is witnessing the sunrise of a new future on the coast of Kerala. This event, being held on INS Vikrant, is a tribute to India’s rising spirits on the world horizon. This is not only the first indigenous aircraft carrier, it is a floating fort on the sea. INS Vikrant is designed and built, everything has been done in India,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

PM Modi also unveiled the new Indian Navy insignia which removed a remnant from the British Raj. It has the National Flag on the top left side and the Ashoka Pillar on the right and the anchor below it.

Describing the features of INS Vikrant, Modi said that it is more of a floating airfield than a warship, it is a floating city. The amount of electricity it generates can light 5,000 homes. Its flying deck is also bigger than two football fields. All the wires used in this warship can reach from Cochin to Kashi.

British broke the back of our maritime power: PM Modi

“Chhatrapati Veer Shivaji Maharaj built such a navy on the strength of this sea power, which kept the enemies sleeping. When the British came to India, they were in awe of the power of Indian ships and the trade through them. So he decided to break the back of India’s maritime power. History is witness to how strict restrictions were imposed on Indian ships and merchants by enacting a law in the British Parliament at that time,” PM Modi said.

Indian Navy gets new flag

PM Modi also unveiled the new flag of the Indian Navy.

“Today, India has taken off a trace of slavery, a burden of slavery from its chest. Indian Navy has got a new flag from today. Till now the identity of slavery remained on the flag of Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the new Indian Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky,” PM Modi said.

Every part of INS Vikrant has its own merits, a strength, a development journey of its own. It is a symbol of indigenous potential, indigenous resources and indigenous skills. The steel installed in its airbase is also indigenous.

India joins elite club

The commissioning of INS Vikrant will be an important step towards India’s self-reliance in the defense sector. With the INS Vikrant in service, India will join a select group of countries such as the US, UK, Russia, China and France that have the capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier.

INS Vikrant has been built using indigenous equipment and machinery supplied by India’s leading industrial houses as well as over 100 Small, Cottage and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). With the launch of Vikrant, India will have two aircraft carriers in service, which will strengthen the country’s maritime security.