Indian Navy to formally get its first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Sept 2
Kochi/IBNS: The Indian Navy will receive INS Vikrant, the country's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, formally on Sept 2.
According to reports, the timing happens to be crucial amidst China's build-up of its presence in the Indian Ocean region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest when the 45,000-tonne warship would be commissioned.
The warship had gone through multiple phases of sea trials since Aug 21, last year. Aviation trials will be held after the navy has its command.
At present, India has only one aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, which is built on a Russian platform.
INS Vikrant, the largest warship to have been built in India, is named after its predecessor, which played a key role during the 1971 war against Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh.
"The induction and reincarnation of 'Vikrant' is... also our humble tribute to the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters for the independence of the nation and our brave soldiers during the 1971 war," the navy said.
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