Moscow, Nov.16 (ANI): The 2.3 billion dollar aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya was inducted into the Indian Navy on Saturday.
Defense Minister AK Antony said that INS Vikramaditya would significantly enhance the reach and capability of the Indian Navy.
"India's economic development is dependent on the seas and safeguarding the nation's maritime interests is central to our national policy. Aircraft carriers have been part of the Indian Navy's force structure since our independence and have effectively served the country over the past five decades or so,' he said at the induction ceremony at the Sevmash Shipyard, Russia's nuclear submarine building centre here today.
"The induction of 'Vikramaditya' with its integral MiG29K fighters and Kamov-31 helicopters, not only reinforces this central policy, but also adds a new dimension to our Navy's operational capabilities. The meaning of 'Vikramaditya', which literally translates into "Strong as the Sun" is complemented by the Ship's motto -"Strike Far, Strike Sure," he added.
Antony also said that the event realizes the vision of capability-based transformation of the Indian Navy that was conceived more than a decade ago.
Calling it a Red Letter Day in the history of India- Russia cooperation, Antony said this relationship remains a matter of the highest priority for both nations for our mutual benefit, and as a factor of global peace and stability.
"The successful culmination of Project 11430 truly symbolizes the time-tested Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our two great nations. The Project has propelled the strategic partnership between our nations to a new level," he said.
"The relationship between our two countries based on mutual trust and belief has withstood the test of time, and the result is for the entire world to see in the form of 'Vikramaditya'. As the ship sails into its home waters in the Indian Ocean Region, INS 'Vikramaditya' will be a befitting tribute to our long-standing relationship," he added.
He also said that it was a challenging task for both the Russian and the Indian sides, and congratulated the entire team for converting the 'Dream Project' into a reality.
"The transformation of INS 'Vikramaditya' is an engineering marvel, which has tested the professionalism, capability and perseverance of the Indian Navy and the Russian industry, especially the Sevmash Shipyard", he said and expressed confidence that all possible support would be extended by Russia to ensure that the ship serves India effectively and efficiently for the duration of its expected operational life cycle.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral DK Joshi said INS Vikramaditya will bridge the time-gap that may come up between the INS Viraat and the Indigenously built aircraft carrier Vikrant.
"It will also help achieving our medium term goal of operating two aircraft carriers,' he said.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said INS Vikramaditya symbolises the close friendship between India and Russia, and expressed confidence that it will grow in the coming years.
A large number of dignitaries including Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu, Indian Ambassador to Russia Ajay Malhotra, Defence Secretary RK Mathur, DG Acquisition SB Agnihotri were present on the occasion.
The INS Vikramaditya is a Kiev class aircraft carrier that was commissioned by the Russian Navy in 1987 under the name, Baku. It was later renamed as Admiral Gorshkov and last sailed in 1995 in Russia, before being offered to India.
The 44,500-tonne warship with a length of 284 metres will have MiG-29K naval combat aircraft along with Kamov 31 and Kamov 28 anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance helicopters.
After years of negotiations, an agreement to hand over the ship to India was inked in 2004 after retrofitting.
The aircraft carrier will have more than 1,600 personnel on board, a complement of indigenously-built ALH Dhruv choppers and SeaKing helicopters, besides state-of-the art weaponry, including MiG-29K naval combat aircraft and Kamov 31 and Kamov 28 anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance helicopters. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
