Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday celebrated Diwali with with the Indian Navy forces
Credit: X/@narendramodi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday celebrated Diwali with with the Indian Navy forces onboard the INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar.
He said the extraordinary coordination among the three services together compelled Pakistan to surrender during Operation Sindoor.
Modi also lauded the valour and determination of security forces and said it was due to that, the nation has achieved a significant milestone by "eliminating Maoist terrorism".
He made the remarks while addressing Navy personnel on board INS Vikrant.
INS Vikrant is not just a warship but is a testimony to 21st-century India's hard work, talent, impact and commitment, Modi said.
Designed by the Indian Navy's in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, INS Vikrant is the largest ship ever built in the country's maritime history.
The aircraft carrier is a collective effort of all the governments since 1999.
The 262 metre-long and 62 metre-wide Vikrant displaces approximately 43,000 tonnes when fully loaded and has a maximum designed speed of 28 knots with endurance of 7500 nautical miles.
The warship grade steel required for the construction of the aircraft carrier was indigenised through Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) in collaboration with Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and the Indian Navy.
Vikrant has around 2,200 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,600 that include specialised cabins to accommodate women officers and sailors.
The ship also has a full-fledged medical complex with latest equipment including physiotherapy clinic, ICU, laboratories and isolation ward.
It is capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircrafts, comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 and MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
With agency inputs