Reeling under a spate of unfortunate accidents, the Indian Navy had a positive development today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov (rechristened as INS Vikramaditya ) to the nation.
Here is the Press Release issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Here is the Press Release issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Prime Minister Spends A Day Onboard INS Vikramaditya
New Delhi: 24 Jyaistha 1936
Saturday, 14 June 2014
"In his first visit to an operational military formation
after assuming office, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated the
country’s new aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya to the Nation. The Prime
Minister embarked the aircraft carrier at sea off Goa, which was operating in
the company of ten other frontline warships of the Indian Navy’s ‘Sword Arm’ –
the Western Fleet. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Chief
Minister of Goa Shri Manohar Parrikar, the Minister of State for Defence Rao
Inderjit Singh, the National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, the Chief of
Naval Staff Admiral RK Dhowan and the Defence Secretary Shri RK Mathus. He was
received onboard INS Vikramaditya by the Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval
Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, and Fleet Commander, Western Fleet Rear
Admiral AK Chawla,.
On arrival at the Naval Air Station INS Hansa earlier in the
morning, the Prime Minister was received by Admiral RK Dhowan and accorded a
ceremonial Guard of Honour. Thereafter, Shri Modi embarked the aircraft carrier
at sea by helicopter.
During the day, the Prime Minister witnessed ‘Air Power
Demonstration’ by various naval aircraft including MiG 29K, Sea Harriers, P 8 I
Long Range Maritime Patrol Anti-Submarine Warfare aircraft, TU 142M, IL 38 SD,
Dorniers, Kamov and Sea King helicopters. He also witnessed high speed
manoeuvres by Western Fleet ships including the other aircraft carrier INS
Viraat, Delhi class destroyers Mysore and Mumbai, stealth frigates Tarkash,
Talwar and Teg, guided missile frigates Betwa and Godavari and fleet tanker
Deepak amongst others.
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| Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Cockpit of MiG-29K |
Shri Modi also interacted with officers and sailors onboard
and congratulated them on their hard work and dedication in fully
operationalising the INS Vikramaditya in such a short period. In his
address to the personnel of the fleet, the Prime Minister stated that INS
Vikramaditya will significantly enhance the ‘Blue Water’ capability of the
Indian Navy.
The Western Fleet, also known as the Sword Arm of the Indian
Navy consists of many frontline warships including the Aircraft Carriers, INS
Vikramaditya and INS Viraat. Commissioned on 16 Nov 2013 at
Severodovinsk, Russia, the 44,500 tons displacement INS Vikramaditya marks the
coming of age for the navy and its commitment to safeguard the maritime
interests of the country.
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| A MiG-29 K approaching for landing on INS Vikramaditya |
With an overall length of 284 meters and a width of 60
meters measuring over three football fields, this floating airfield is equipped
to carry a maximum of 34 aircraft such as MIG 29 K fighters and Kamov 31
helicopters. The ship is now fully operational with Indian pilots taking
off and landing the MIG 29K naval combat aircraft. Manned by a highly
professional and competent crew of 110 officers and 1500 sailors, the ship can
propel at speeds over 30 knots on the strength of her eight boilers producing a
combined thrust of 1,80,000 Shaft Horse power.
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| MiG-29K landing on the aircraft carrier |
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| Prime Minister Modi taking salute |
For the first time, the Naval communication satellite,
Rukmini, was used to telecast live the events on board INS Vikramaditya. It was
significant that the live telecast took place from a moving platform."
Photo Credit: Ministry of Defence
