INS Vikrant (Building)

This 830 foot-long ship, with a 40,000 ton full-load displacement,, will be capable of operating up to 30 modern fighter aircraft, including MiG-29K, LCA (Navy), See Harrier, and up to to 10 helicopters of different types Its 2.5 acre flight deck, with a maximum width of 190 ft, will enable launch of fighter aircraft using ski-jump for take off and arrester wire for landing on an angled deck. Powered by four LM 2500 gas turbines, generating 80 MW of power, the ship will be able to achieve speeds in excess of 28 knots. The crew will consist of a complement of 1,600 officers and men.

A second carrier of this class is expected to be built and delivered in 2018 to join the new Virkant and the Vikramaditya. At that time, the Indian Navy will have three large, modern carriers.

The initial construction day, April 11, 2005, will always be remembered in the Indian Navy's quest for indigenous aircraft carrier construction and significant milestone in the maritime history of modern India. On that day, the construction of India's largest warship project, the first indigenous aircraft carrier designed by DND, commenced at the Cochin Shipyard with the steel-cutting by Mr TR Baalu, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways in the presence of the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash and Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr Oomen Chandy. .