New Delhi, July 10 : India’s Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant is all set for commissioning into the Indian Navy next month with completion of the fourth phase of sea trials on Sunday.

The fourth phase of sea trials for IAC were successfully completed today during which integrated trials of majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the Aviation Facilities Complex equipment were undertaken, the Indian Navy said.

“The ship’s delivery is being targeted in end July 2022, followed by commissioning of the ship in August 2022 to commemorate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,” the Navy added.

Informing about the major development, the Navy said that the Indigenous design and construction of Aircraft Carrier by Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Ltd is a shining example in the Nation’s quest for AatmaNirbhar Bharat and Make in India Initiative with more than 76 per cent indigenous content.

This has led to growth in indigenous design and construction capabilities, besides development of large number of ancillary industries, with employment opportunities for over 2000 CSL personnel and about 12000 employees in ancillary industries, the statement added.

Maiden Sea Trials of IAC were successfully completed in August 2021.

This was followed by second and third phases of Sea Trials in October 2021 and January 2022 respectively.

During these three phases of Sea Trials, endurance testing of propulsion machinery, electrical and electronic suites, deck machinery, lifesaving appliances, ship’s Navigation and Communication systems was undertaken.

The warship is made of a large number of indigenous materials such as steel, other equipment and systems which are manufactured by Indian industrial houses and about 100 MSMEs with the overall project cost of Rs 19341 crore.

The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is 262 meter long, 62 meter at the widest part and height of 59 meter including the superstructure. There are 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure. The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people including specialised cabins for women officers.

The IAC has put India in a select league of nations with the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and China- who have the capability to build own aircraft carriers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier said that the commissioning of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier will be a “golden moment” in the Indian defence history and “a major milestone event in the Indian Navy’s path of self reliance.”

The aircraft carrier will increase India’s reach from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.(UNI)