INS Vikrant: A Symbol of Atmanirbharta & Maritime Power
Why in News?
The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-1) INS Vikrant remains a perennial topic in UPSC, symbolizing India's growing military and industrial prowess. Recent events like the Prime Minister's Diwali 2025 celebration onboard and its participation in major exercises like TROPEX 2025 and Operation Sindoor keep it highly relevant for current affairs.
1. Prelims Focus: Key Facts at a Glance
Memorize these core data points for objective-type questions.
Name: INS Vikrant (IAC-1)
Commissioned: 2nd September 2022
Built by: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
Designed by: Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB)
Displacement: ~45,000 tonnes
Indigenous Content: 76%
Key Indigenous Material: ~30,000 tonnes of steel from Steel Authority of India (SAIL)
Operational System: STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) with a ski-jump.
Air Wing: Can host 30 aircraft including MiG-29K, Kamov-31, MH-60R helicopters, and Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).
Naming Legacy: Named after India's first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant (R11), decommissioned in 1997.
2. Key Themes & Terminologies for Mains (GS Paper III)
A. Self-Reliance in Defence (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
INS Vikrant is the flagship project of India's defence indigenization. Use it as a primary case study.
Warship Design Bureau (WDB): Highlights the development of in-house design capability, reducing foreign dependence.
MSME Integration: The project involved over 100 MSMEs, demonstrating the trickle-down effect of defence manufacturing.
Industrial Ecosystem: Engaged 550+ Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), boosting sectors like steel (SAIL), electronics (BEL), and heavy engineering (L&T, BHEL).
Employment Generation: Created ~2,000 direct and ~12,500 indirect jobs.
B. Strategic Capability & Naval Doctrine
Blue-Water Navy: INS Vikrant is a cornerstone of India's ambition to build a blue-water navy capable of operating globally.
Carrier Battle Group (CBG): It forms the core of a CBG, a potent power-projection tool. Mention its role in Operation Sindoor as a strategy of "compellence."
Multi-Carrier Operations: The demonstration of operating INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya together showcases advanced operational capability, a feat only a few nations possess.
Future Procurement: The Rafale-Marine jet deal (April 2025) will significantly enhance the air wing's lethality.
C. Foreign Policy & Indo-Pacific Strategy
SAGAR Doctrine: INS Vikrant is a tangible instrument of India's SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Its participation in HADR and multinational exercises reinforces India's role as the "Preferred Security Partner" and "First Responder" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Military Diplomacy:
MILAN 2024: Hosted over 50 nations, showcasing India's convening power.
Bilateral Exercises: Exercise Varuna (with France) and Exercise Konkan (with the UK) enhance interoperability with key maritime partners.
D. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
Beyond combat, a carrier is a vital HADR asset.
Mobile Base: Can generate electricity for ~5,000 households, acting as a command centre and hospital.
Case Study: The medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) from MV Heilan Star in March 2025 is a perfect example of its utility in peacetime operations.
3. Connecting to Broader UPSC Syllabus
GS Paper II (Governance): The success of INS Vikrant can be linked to the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. It reflects effective policy implementation through a collaboration of DPSU (CSL, SAIL), DRDO, and private industry.
GS Paper III (Security): Directly links to topics like "Challenges to Internal Security," where maritime security is a subset. It counters the strategic influence of other powers in the IOR.
Essay Paper: Can be used as a powerful example in essays on topics like "India's Journey from Self-Reliance to Global Leadership," "The Interplay of Defence and Diplomacy," or "Make in India: A Pipe Dream or a Reality?"
4. Critical Analysis & Way Forward
A balanced answer should also acknowledge challenges and future steps:
Challenges:
Delays: The project faced significant time overruns.
Technology Gaps: Critical components like the aircraft launch system (arrestor wires) and certain radars were initially sourced from abroad, though indigenous content is high.
Air Wing Dependency: Currently reliant on Russian MiG-29Ks; indigenization of the air wing (e.g., with TEDBF - Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter) is crucial for complete self-reliance.
Way Forward:
IAC-2: Push for the construction of a larger, more advanced Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-2).
TEDBF: Expedite the development of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter.
Integrated Theatre Commands: Seamlessly integrate carrier battle groups into India's new theater command structure for optimal effectiveness.
5. Sample Questions for Practice
Prelims (MCQs)
Consider the following statements regarding INS Vikrant:
It is powered by a nuclear propulsion system.
It operates on the Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) principle.
It was designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?(a) 1 only(b) 2 only(c) 2 and 3 only(d) 1, 2 and 3Answer: (b) 2 only
- The term 'SAGAR', often in news, is best related to:(a) India's deep-sea mining mission.(b) India's policy framework for the Indian Ocean Region.(c) A satellite launched for maritime surveillance.(d) A scheme for Sagarmala project.
Answer: (b)
Mains (GS Paper III)
"The induction of INS Vikrant is a game-changer for India's maritime security and a testament to its growing defence industrial capabilities." Critically examine.
Discuss the role of aircraft carriers in projecting a nation's power. In this context, examine how INS Vikrant strengthens India's position in the Indo-Pacific.
Conclusion
For a UPSC aspirant, INS Vikrant is not just a warship; it is a multi-dimensional case study. It intertwines themes of indigenization, strategic autonomy, diplomatic outreach, and humanitarian responsibility. Mastering its details will provide you with potent examples to enrich your answers in Prelims, Mains, and the Interview, showcasing a holistic understanding of India's contemporary strategic landscape.
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