INS VIKRAMADITYA

WHY IN NEWS?

India has deployed its aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in the Arabian Sea at a time China and Pakistan are holding a nine-day mega naval exercise in the region.

Abour INS Vikramaditya

• INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier and the flagship of the Indian Navy.
• She has been renamed in honour of Vikramaditya, a legendary emperor of India.
• Originally built as Baku and commissioned in 1987, the carrier served with the Soviet Navy and later with the Russian Navy before being decommissioned in 1996.
• INS Vikramaditya was commissioned into service in November 2013.
• The warship has been extensively refurbished with new propulsion systems, hull sections, sensors and flight deck.
• It was operationally deployed with full complement of MiG-29 aircraft in May 2014.
• The vessel can carry more than 30 long-range multi-role fighters with anti-ship missiles, air-to-air missiles, guided bombs and rockets.
• Currently, INS Vikramaditya is India’s largest aircraft carrier (as well as largest military ship).
• It is the only aircraft carrier of Indian navy currently in active service.

Prelims Question

Q. Which of the following is the only active aircraft carrier in the service of Indian Navy?
a. INS Vishal
b. INS Vikramaditya
c. INS Vikrant
d. INS Viraat

Answer to the Prelims Question