The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is going to hand over India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) dubbed ‘INS Vikrant’ next month to the Indian Navy. This was revealed by Bejoy Bhasker, the CSL Director on Thursday at a press meet arranged to declare the 50th anniversary of the Shipyard.

Per Bejoy, IAC will be out for the final sea trial within a few weeks. He added that the ultimate sea trial had been scheduled for this month but encountered a delay. Bejoy said that next month, the team will hand over the IAC to the Indian Navy after that, the vessel is going to adopt the name INS Vikrant. India’s first-ever aircraft carrier is going to be commissioned in August 2022 on Independence Day.

Officials of CSL mentioned that a new aircraft carrier boasting IAC specifications can be built by the shipyard in five years. They added that IAC is 60% made indigenously, and 40% of the components have been imported

CSL owns a contract that extends to eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts. CSL has been declared as the lowest bidder for the New Generation Missile Vessel (NGMV) project.

CSL will be handing over the four remaining ferries of the Kochi Water Metro by May/June 2022. The first was handed to the authorities some months ago. Covid-19 has resulted in delays when it comes to completing the work for vessels of the water metro project. The components for the vessels were supposed to be fetched from 23 nations.

The aluminium that was sourced from an Australian company had to be sent back due to issues regarding the certification given to the company. Similarly, a major challenge was regarding the technology used in the vessel, which is the first of its kind. It is a hybrid system with both electrical and diesel generators used. Synchronizing two generators was the most crucial part in the vessel manufacturing process.

Regarding manufacturing more vessels for the Kochi Water Metro, CSL officials mentioned that the specifications for new vessels have not been revealed so far. CSL has the capability to manufacture small boats and even aircraft carriers here.

CSL expects to get done with the work at Wellington Island for the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) by 2023. Some of the major ships will undergo repairs at ISRF. CSL is likely to tap the market for small-sized cruise vessels that will be able to operate in the inland waters.

CSL has achieved growth since 1994, the last year it experienced negative growth. The reported gross income of CSL in 2020-21 was Rs 3,012.76 crore and the net profit observed during the same time was Rs 610.10 crore. Its net worth in 2020-21 was Rs 3978 crore. The union government holds a 72.86% stake in the firm.

Reference: newindianexpress.com

Background:

India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier – INS Vikrant – Embarks On Second Phase Of Trials