Indian INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant: A Naval Overview
The Indian INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant form the core of India’s aircraft-carrier fleet, providing maritime air power and extending the Indian Navy’s operational reach across the Indian Ocean and beyond.
INS Vikramaditya, a modernized former Soviet carrier, complements INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. Together, they reflect the nation’s growing naval capabilities and strategic ambitions.
INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier acquired from Russia and commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2013. It operates as a STOBAR carrier, using a ski-jump ramp and arrestor wires for aircraft operations.
The carrier primarily supports MiG-29K fighter aircraft, along with helicopters used for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and logistics. Its aviation facilities enable India to maintain sustained air operations at sea.
INS Vikrant, commissioned in 2022, is India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, it also uses the STOBAR configuration and accommodates fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
Together, the Indian INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant provide the Navy with two operational carrier platforms. Their deployment strengthens maritime air power, supports fleet protection, and extends India’s ability to conduct operations across the Indian Ocean region.