Indian Navy To Induct India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier In 2020, Will Be Based At Eastern Naval Command

Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at Vizag will be home to India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) that is scheduled to be inducted into the Navy by 2020, Economic Times has reported. The announcement was made by Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the ENC.

He made the announcement on board INS Sahyadri on the occasion of Navy Day. Under the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan, the IAC-1 is currently being built in Kochi.

After the induction, a MiG-29 squadron will be placed at the ENC. Economic Times quoted the Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh as saying, “In keeping with the country's maritime interests, the Navy has a requirement of two operational aircraft carriers. The Maritime Capability Perspective Plan envisages a force level of three aircraft carriers to ensure availability of at least two Carrier Battle Groups at any given time.”

At the ENC, required infrastructure for berthing and other services are being set up. After Karwar, Vizag will be the second facility of that nature to have a ship-lift facility.

Furthermore, orders had been issued to build 27 warships and submarines under the banner of Make in India.