INS Vikrant to join ENC Vizag next year: Navy chief

Vishakapatnam: Indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant will join the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam next year, said Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar.

Addressing the media after participating in the investiture function at the ENC headquarters on Wednesday, Admiral Hari said all the sea trials have been completed and the anti-submarine helicopter MH6o Romeo and MIG 29k successfully made the landing recently.

“Vikrant will be operational by November this year and join the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam next year,’’ he said.

The admiral said Indian defense force production will become totally indigenous in 2047 and the Navy will keep pace with this goal. The Navy will rather advance and achieve 80 percent indigenous production by 2035, he said.

He said the defence department was getting good support from MSMEs and start- ups. Ten prototype products have been launched and the department has been looking forward to the launch of more such products in the coming years. “We are shedding the old colonial mindset and looking forward,’’ the admiral said.

The admiral presented the gallantry and distinguished service awards on behalf of President Droupadi Murmu at an impressive naval investiture ceremony at the Eastern Naval Command. The ceremony was being held after a gap of six years.

As many as 33 awards were conferred, which included Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) to Vineet Kumar LA(AH) and Cdr Nishant Singh (Posthumous), 13 Nao Sena Medal (Devotion to Duty), 16 Vishisht Seva Medal, and two Jeevan Raksha Padak.

The chief of naval staff also presented the Lt VK Jain Memorial Gold Medal for pioneering research in the field of weapon improvement and electrical engineering, as well as the Capt Ravi Dhir Memorial Gold Medal for promoting flight safety.

The CNS Trophy for Best Green Practice 2023 was awarded to Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam and INS Tunir in the industrial and non-industrial categories respectively. The admiral also awarded the Unit Citations to operational units and shore establishments for their outstanding performances over the past year.

Indian Naval Ships Betwa, Satpura, Sutlej and Nireekshak, Kalvari class submarine INS Karanj along with INAS 321 FSS and INAS 318 received the unit citation. In the shore establishment category, the awardees were INS India, Tanaji and Valsura, and Material Organisation (Visakhapatnam).

The ceremony was attended by the spouses and families of the awardees as well as senior dignitaries of the Indian Navy.

Emphasizing the importance of the role of the Naval personnel, the CNS said, "As the Indian Navy continues to expand its operational footprint to protect, promote, pursue and preserve our national maritime interests, it is the unwavering professionalism and never-say-die spirit of our personnel that ensures success, always and every time."