Revision as of 13:27, 12 September 2022

Introduction

Briefly

AnanthaNarayanan K, Sep 3, 2022: The Times of India

INS Vikrant, 2022- A sentinel of the high seas
From: AnanthaNarayanan K, Sep 3, 2022: The Times of India

INS Vikrant and Atma Nirbhar Bharat- Force multiplier towards a blue water fleet
From: Sep 3, 2022: The Times of India

Kochi : Flanked by defence minister Rajnath Singh and Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, PM Narendra Modi compared the 262m long and 62m wide INS Vikrant — named after its illustrious predecessor that played a crucial role in the 1971 War — to a floating city that was a living embodiment of the five pledges he proclaimed during his Independence Day speech this year.


“We believe in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. As India moves rapidly towards a $5 trillion economy, our share in global trade will increase. A large part of it will inevitably be through maritime routes. In such a situation, INS Vikrant will be crucial as it will safeguard our security and economic interests,” he said. Modi said a strong India would also “pave the way for a peaceful world”.


On the Naval Ensign that replaces the colonial Saint George’s Cross, the PM said, “Till now, the identity of slavery remained on the flag of the Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by Chhatrapati Shiva ji, the new Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky. ”


Modi raised the new-look flag on the flight deck of INS Vikrant and unveiled the commissioning plate. Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Union ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, V Muraleedharan and Ajay Bhatt, NSA Ajit Doval and several foreign dignitaries, including the ambassadors of Russia, France and Australia and the high commissioner of the UK, were at the event. 
Defence minister Rajnath Singh said the commissioning of INS Vikrant showed the NDA government’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of India for the next 25 years. “Vikrant is an assuranceto friendly foreign countries that India is capable of meeting the collective security needs of the region,” he said. 
 Admiral Hari Kumar iterated the Navy’s aspiration “to become completely self-reliant by 2047” and remain a “combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-proof force”. 
Modi received a 100-strong ceremonial guard of honour to the accompaniment of the naval band on his arrival at the venue. He also interacted with the principal officers of INS Vikrant.

Weapon systems on board the IAC

INS Vikrant’s primary air defence is the Israeli-origin Barak 8 missile defence system, which will be installed by mid-2023. It also has the Mareech torpedo defence system and Kavach anti-missile system. The portable diver detection sonar can detect underwater threats like diver delivery vehicles. The ship has AK 630 rotary cannons and several other guns. Its main offensive power is its aviation fleet comprising MiG29k multi-role fighter jets and helicopters like Kamov 31, MH60-R, Sea King, etc.

Carrier battle group packs a formidable punch

A Carrier Battle Group (CBG), the most potent means of force projection in any nation’s military, is a fleet of ships like cruisers, destroyers, frigates, corvettes, tankers and even submarines centered around an aircraft carrier with its fleet of fighter jets and helicopters. A modern carrier battle group is nearly invincible with surface, air and undersea escorts and it can combat diverse overhead, surface, and submerged threats. IAC will have its own CBG after commissioning.

The new ensign

AnanthaNarayanan K, Sep 3, 2022: The Times of India

Kochi : The Navy erased 70 years of its colonial past by accepting a new ensign inspired by the octagonal royal seal of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shiva ji.


The former ensign featured a St Georges Cross with the Tricolour in the canton, a remnant of the preIndependence colonial era. The new white ensign has two constituents, the national flag in the upper left canton, and a navy blue-gold octagon at the centre of the fly side. The octagon has twin golden octagonal borders encompassing the golden national emblem with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in blue Devanagari script resting atop an anchor and superimposed on a shield.


Below the shield, within the octagon, is a gold border ribbon and a navy-blue background with the Navy’s motto ‘Sam No Varunah’ inscribed in golden Devanagari script. The design encompassed within the octagon was taken from the Indian Naval crest, wherein the fouled anchor (also associated with colonial legacy) was replaced with a clear anchor. The golden border surrounding the national emblem draws inspiration from the seal of Chhatrapati Shiva ji and depicts steadfastness.