Today in Kochi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant, for building a home-built aircraft carrier, in a grand ceremony at Cochin Shipyard. The 45,000-ton warship has been built at a cost of ₹20,000 Crore.  

On this occasion, PM Modi said, “INS Vikrant is the reflection of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission. India has entered the list of countries that can build such large warships indigenously” PM added “INS Vikrant has infused new confidence”  

INS Vikrant draws inspiration from the great Indian Emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj whose visionary maritime outlook established a credible naval fleet. The Indian Navy is in process of procuring 26 deck-based aircraft. This warship was in the works for over a decade.  

The Navy sees new warships as a key addition to its arsenal. India can now deploy an aircraft carrier on both its eastern and western seaboard and expand its maritime presence.