As part of the aviation trials, LCA (Navy) and MIG-29K successfully landed onboard INS Vikrant for the first time on 6th February 2023. It is first time that trials of a prototype aircraft designed & produced indigenously has been successfully undertaken on an indigenous Aircraft Carrier. The landing of MIG-29K onboard INS Vikrant marks the successful integration of the aircraft that enhances the Combat Readiness of the Navy.
The successful landing and take-off of the indigenous LCA Navy on India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is a momentous step forward towards the vision of self-reliant India. The maiden landing of the MIG-29K also heralds the integration of the fighter aircraft with INS Vikrant.
INS Vikrant is the first indigenous Aircraft Carrier and the most complex warship ever built by India. It was designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
The ship had sailed for maiden Sea Trials on 4th August 2021. Since then, she has undergone sea sorties for trials of Main Propulsion, Power Generation equipment, Fire Fighting systems, Aviation Facility Complex equipment etc. The Carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 2nd September 2022.
The construction of the Carrier is a big boost to the vision of self-reliant India. The Carrier has been undertaking extensive Air Operations with Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft since 13th December 2022 towards Air Certification and Flight Integration Trials for achieving the ultimate aim of being ‘Combat Ready’. As part of the aviation trials, landing of LCA (Navy) and MiG-29K onboard INS Vikrant was carried out on 6th February 2023 by Indian Naval Test Pilots.
The landing of LCA(Navy) on deck has demonstrated India’s capability to design, develop, construct and operate indigenous Aircraft Carrier with indigenous Fighter Aircraft. It is a landmark achievement being the first time that trials of a prototype aircraft – indigenously designed & produced by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) & Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has been successfully undertaken on an indigenous Aircraft Carrier. Further, the landing of MIG-29K onboard INS Vikrant is also a significant achievement as it marks the successful integration of the fighter aircraft with the indigenous carrier as well as further enhances the Combat Readiness of the Navy.
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