Indian Navy A Step Closer To Operationalising Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant With First Landing, Take Off Of MiG-29K

The Indian Navy has taken a significant stride in its capabilities with the successful landing and takeoff of MiG-29K fighter jets on the deck of its INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

The naval variant of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas also made its first landing and take-off from the aircraft carrier earlier today (6 February).

This marks a major milestone in the Navy's efforts to fully integrate the new carrier into its fleet and expand its maritime capabilities.

The INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, was commissioned in September 2022.

The INS Vikrant, which measures 262 meters in length, 62 meters in width, and 59 meters in height, has been designed to accommodate a crew of around 1,700 people, including specialized cabins for women officers. It boasts a top speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots, with an endurance of 7,500 nautical miles.

The Indian Navy is looking to expand its fleet of fighters, which currently consists mainly of Russian-origin MiG-29Ks, and evaluated the French Rafale-M and US-based F/A-18 Super Hornet last year. The two fighters underwent trials at INS Hansa's shore-based test facility in Goa to showcase their ability to take off from ski-jump platforms, similar to those found on Indian carriers.

According to reports, the Indian Navy has submitted a report to the Ministry of Defence identifying the Rafale M as its preferred choice for augmenting its fighter fleet.