Meet INS Vikrant: A Floating Fortress That Gives India Decisive Edge Against Pakistani Navy

India-Pakistan News: In the wake of intensified aerial assaults by Pakistan on Indian cities, the Indian Navy wasted no time in taking strategic countermeasures. On Thursday night, India deployed its pride — the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant — into the Arabian Sea. Its presence signals India’s readiness to escalate if provoked further.

Commissioned in 2022, INS Vikrant is more than just a warship — it's a self-contained war zone at sea. Designed and constructed entirely in India, this aircraft carrier showcases the nation’s defense innovation, strategic foresight, and engineering might.

Spanning 262 meters in length and 62 meters in width, Vikrant has 14 decks and can house over 1,500 personnel. It is powered by four gas turbines delivering 88 MW and is capable of functioning independently for up to 45 days at sea — making it a mobile fortress.

INS Vikrant can launch and recover up to 40 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets and naval helicopters. Its runway is the length of two football fields, and its hangars and maintenance bays allow continuous flight operations, giving India critical air superiority at sea.

INS Vikrant is bristling with weapons. It carries:

32 Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles

16 BrahMos cruise missiles

1 Oto Melara naval gun

4 AK-630 CIWS

4 Torpedo launchers

Together with Sea King and Dhruv helicopters, Vikrant is ready for both defensive and offensive warfare.

Beyond traditional maritime roles, Vikrant is also a hub for cyber warfare, surveillance, and electronic warfare. It can coordinate multi-branch operations, intercept enemy communications, and deliver real-time intelligence to allied units in action.

Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Vikrant is the largest warship ever built in India. It’s a living testament to the Make in India mission, with more than 75% indigenous content.

During the commissioning on September 2, 2022, PM Narendra Modi called Vikrant “a symbol of India’s hard work, talent, and self-reliance.” He likened it to the spirit of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', representing a new, empowered India willing to defend its interests.

While India boasts aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, Pakistan lacks any operational aircraft carrier. Its limited naval fleet and outdated technology make it vulnerable in a prolonged maritime conflict.

Pakistan’s navy largely depends on older submarines and lacks the infrastructure for blue-water operations. Without an equivalent to Vikrant, Pakistan is left to rely on land-based assets and small-scale naval tactics, which are no match for India’s maritime power.

India’s deployment follows Operation Sindoor, a military campaign launched after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives. Indian forces executed precise air strikes on nine terror camps across PoK, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism.

Pakistan retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Jammu, Punjab, and Rajasthan. However, India’s integrated air defence intercepted all threats, showcasing readiness across land, air, and sea — especially with Vikrant now on patrol.

Beyond its military role, Vikrant serves as a deterrent. Its mere presence in the Arabian Sea sends a strong geopolitical message: India will respond with overwhelming force if provoked. It’s a weapon of both destruction and diplomacy.

With its own hospital, modular kitchen, air conditioning, and communication systems, Vikrant is built to sustain long missions. Its crew can live and fight under extreme conditions, with logistics designed for self-sufficiency in wartime.

The INS Vikrant was launched on September 22, 1945 as Hercules. However, its construction was stalled and was completed when India purchased it from Britain in 1957. On March 04, 1961 it was commissioned as Vikrant in its first avatar. It was placed under the command of Captain Pritam Singh Mahindroo.

On March 05, 1961, Vikrant sailed from Belfast for Portsmouth and Portland to carry out sea trials, and on October 06, 1961, Vikrant finally sailed for India. It entered Bombay on November 03, 1961.

(Pic Credits: PIB)

It played a crucial role in the 1971 war with its aircrafts decimating the enemy. The Sea Hawks and Alizés pounded the enemy targets over Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Khulna and Mongla. Heavy damage was inflicted on the ships and harbour installations. The runways at the first two places were rendered inoperable, and along with other units of the fleet, Vikrant ensured a total blockade off East Pakistan.

The INS Vikrant helped in preventing reinforcement of Pakistani forces from the sea, leading to the birth of Bangladesh.

(Pic Credits: PIB)

The INS Vikrant emerged in a new avatar as a Vertical/ Short Take Off and Land (V/STOL) carrier in 1984, with the brand new, state-of-the-art aircraft Sea Harrier. Its new capability inspired the induction of INS Vikramaditya, and the plans of its reincarnation.

After serving for 36 years, it was decommissioned from active service on 31 January, 1997.

(Pic Credits: PIB)

As India and Pakistan teeter on the edge of confrontation, Vikrant symbolizes a defining edge for India. It isn't just a ship — it’s India’s insurance against sea-based threats, a carrier of might, and a message of strategic dominance to adversaries.

Pic Credits: Press Information Bureau, ANI

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