PM Modi to commission INS Vikrant on Friday

During the event, the Prime Minister will also unveil the new Naval Ensign, doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission the first indigenous aircraft carrier– INS Vikrant– the largest ship ever built in maritime history of India and houses state-of-the-art automation features at Cochin Shipyard Limited here on Friday. “With the commissioning of ‘Vikrant’, India would join a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an aircraft carrier, which will be a real testimony to the Make in India thrust of Government of India,” a Defence statement has said. Designed by the Warship Design Bureau, Indian Navy’s in-house organisation and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the indigenous aircraft carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first aircraft carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war. Commissioning of ‘Vikrant’ would be a proud and landmark moment for the nation showcasing our ‘Atma Nirbhar’ credentials during ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a true testament to the country’s zeal and fervour in pursuing capability build up towards enhanced maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and shall demonstrate Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to contribute towards peace and stability in the region, the Defence statement said.