India\'s domestic aircraft carrier completes first 5-day trial flight

India's domestic aircraft carrier completes first 5-day trial flight

　　 The Indian commercial media "Minting" reported that after the "Vikrant" tested its main propulsion system, power system, and auxiliary equipment, it successfully completed the first test voyage back to Cochin on the 8th. The Indian Navy said in a statement that despite the challenges posed by the epidemic, a series of tests have been carried out as planned, and all parameters have reached a satisfactory level.

　　 The Indian Navy posted on social media that the "Vikrant" aircraft carrier is 262 meters long and 62 meters wide at its widest point. It is about 59 meters high including the superstructure. The ship has a total of 14 decks including 5 floors of the superstructure, with more than 2,300 cabins, which can accommodate about 1,700 crew members, of which there is a special accommodation space for female crew members. The ship is equipped with highly automated mechanical operation, navigation, and survival related equipment. According to the design, it can be used to accommodate a variety of fixed-wing carrier-based aircraft and helicopters. India-made equipment accounts for more than 76%.

In the report of the completion of the maiden voyage of the “Vikrant”, the “First Post” of India mentioned that the “Vikrant” made in India will be designed to carry Russian-made MiG-29k carrier-based fighter jets and trucks. 31 helicopters, as well as the US-made Sikorsky MH-60R multi-purpose helicopter. "Vikrant" is said to have a top speed of about 28 knots, a cruising speed of 18 knots, and a range of about 7,500 nautical miles.

　　 India’s “First Post” reported that in view of China’s increasing influence in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy has been enhancing its overall capabilities, but India currently has only one outsourced aircraft carrier "Vikramatia". The cost of the "Vikrant" aircraft carrier is about 230 billion rupees, which is equivalent to more than 20 billion yuan. Under the Cochin Shipyard Co., Ltd. (CSL), which built the aircraft carrier, about 550 Indian companies, including about 100 small and medium-sized enterprises, are registered to provide various services for the construction of the "Vikrant".

　　Indian media quoted news from the Indian Navy that the "Vikrant" will also conduct a series of tests. It is planned to enter the Indian Navy in August 2022, and the delivery date is scheduled for the 75th anniversary of India's independence. By then, India will be among the clubs capable of independently designing and building aircraft carriers, strengthening the Indian Army’s influence in the Indian Ocean region, and helping the Indian Navy become a "blue water navy."

The Indian media mentioned in the report that the name of the "Vikrant" was inherited from India's first aircraft carrier, which was an imperial carrier and was retired in 1997. The trial of the "Vikrant" is to commemorate the first ship. The "Vikrant" played a pivotal role in the 1971 war for the 50th anniversary.

印度国产航母完成5天的首次试航

　　印度商业类媒体《铸币》报消息称，“维克兰特”号测试了其主推进系统、电力系统，以及辅助设备后，于8日成功完成了首次试航返回科钦。印度海军在一份声明中表示，此次试航尽管面临疫情所带来的挑战，但一系列试验均正常按计划进行，各项参数均已达到令人满意的水平。

　　印度海军在社交媒体上发文称，“维克兰特”号航空母舰全长262米，最宽处达62米，包括上层建筑在内高约59米。该舰共有包括上层建筑5层在内的14层甲板，设有2300多个舱室，可容纳约1700名舰员，其中为女性舰员专门提供了住宿空间。舰上有高度自动化的机械操作、导航、生存相关设备，按设计可用于容纳多种固定翼舰载机和直升机，印度国产设备占比76%以上。

　　印度《第一邮报》在“维克兰特”号完成首航的报道中提到，印度国产的“维克兰特”号按设计将搭载俄制米格- 29k舰载战斗机、卡-31直升机，以及美制的西科斯基MH-60R多用途直升机等。“维克兰特”号据称最高速度约为28节，巡航速度为18节，续航约7500海里。

　　印度《第一邮报》消息称，鉴于中国在印度洋地区不断增加的影响力，印度海军一直在增强其整体能力，但印度目前只有一艘外购航母“维克拉马蒂亚”号。“维克兰特”号航母造价约2300亿卢比，折合人民币超200亿元。在建造该航母的科钦造船厂有限公司（CSL）旗下，注册有约550家印度公司，包括约100家中小企业为“维克兰特”号的建造提供各种服务。

　　印媒援引印度海军方面的消息称，“维克兰特”号还将进行一系列的试验，计划于2022年8月进入印度海军现役，而交付日期定于印度独立75周年之际。届时，印度将跻身有能力自主设计和建造航母国家的俱乐部，加强印军在印度洋地区的影响力，并帮助印度海军成为“蓝水海军”。

　　印媒在报道中提到，“维克兰特”号舰名继承自印度首艘航母，该航母系英制并已于1997年退役，此次“维克兰特”号试航便是纪念首艘“维克兰特”号在1971年战争中发挥关键作用50周年。