Defence Secretary reviews Indian Aircraft Carrier project

Visakhapatnam: Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra reviewed the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) project at Cochin Shipyard Limited on Thursday. He was accompanied by Vice-Admiral Ajit  Kumar, AVSM, VSM, Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral DM Deshpande, AVSM, VSM, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, Satinder Pal Singh, IPS, Joint Secretary (Shipping) and other senior officers from the Indian Navy.

The ship was launched in Aug 2013 and presently, the main propulsion plant, power generation equipment, deck machinery and auxiliary equipment have been installed and integrated on board. Outfitting of various aviation equipment, navigation and communication equipment, weapons and sensors are progressing Speaking on the occasion, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra briefed about the progress of IAC construction by Commodore Cyril Thomas, the Warship Production Superintendent.

Madhu S Nair, CMD, CSL, highlighted the shipyard’s focus on outfitting and trial activities as the project enters its final phase and reiterated the CSL’s commitment to meet the timelines for delivery of the ship. In-house trials of ship’s systems by the carrier acceptance, trials team have already commenced, and the sea trials are expected to commence by early 2020, he added.