A detailed timeline of Indian aircraft carriers from INS Vikrant to INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant (IAC‑1), highlighting military significance, political milestones, and the strategic path toward 2025.
theIAShub | 10 May, 2025 | 5576 | 0 |
Indian Aircraft Carriers have long been the centerpiece of India’s maritime strategy, acting as floating airbases and symbols of power projection. These massive warships enable the Indian Navy to conduct operations far beyond its shores, especially in the increasingly contested waters of the Indo-Pacific region.
INS Vikrant, India’s first aircraft carrier, marked the beginning of the country’s transformation into a maritime power. Acquired from the UK, this 19,500-tonne Majestic-class carrier allowed India to enforce a naval blockade during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, effectively isolating enemy forces.
| Year | Milestone |
| 1957 | India purchases British HMS Hercules. |
| 1961 | Commissioned as INS Vikrant – India’s first aircraft carrier. |
| 1961 | Participates in Operation Vijay for Goa’s liberation. |
| 1965 | Deploys during India-Pakistan conflict as a deterrent. |
| 1971 | Conducts air strikes in East Pakistan during the war. |
INS Viraat, formerly HMS Hermes, was commissioned as India’s second carrier. Its long service of over three decades made it an iconic vessel in the Indian Navy. Hosting Sea Harrier jump jets, INS Viraat played significant roles in regional operations and deterrence posturing during tense military standoffs.
| Year | Milestone |
| 1986 | India purchases British HMS Hermes. |
| 1987 | Commissioned as INS Viraat. |
| 1989 | Supports Operation Jupiter in Sri Lanka. |
| 1999 | Active during Kargil War to secure maritime borders. |
| 2001 | Deploys during Operation Parakram. |
| 2017 | Decommissioned after 30 years of service. |
INS Vikramaditya, formerly a Russian Kiev-class aircraft carrier, was extensively refurbished and commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2013. With a displacement of around 44,500 tonnes, it became India’s largest warship at the time.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2004 | India signs deal with Russia for Admiral Gorshkov. |
| 2013 | Commissioned as INS Vikramaditya. |
| 2015–20 | Participates in joint exercises like MALABAR. |
Unlike its predecessors, Vikramaditya uses a ski-jump-assisted takeoff system (STOBAR) and houses MiG-29K fighter jets. It represented a crucial capability enhancement during a period when maritime rivalries in the Indo-Pacific were intensifying.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2009 | Keel laid at Cochin Shipyard. |
| 2013 | Launched for sea trials. |
| 2022 | Commissioned as INS Vikrant (IAC‑1). |
INS Vikrant (IAC‑1) represents a watershed moment in Indian naval history as the first indigenous aircraft carrier of India. With a displacement of 45,000 tonnes and a length of 262 meters, Vikrant embodies self-reliance under the “Make in India” initiative.
Equipped with MiG‑29K fighters and indigenous radars and weapons systems, it was designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design. INS Vikrant is pivotal to India’s aim of fielding multiple operational aircraft carriers simultaneously.
Also Read: List of Missiles of India
India seeks to develop a new generation of aircraft carriers due increasing risks in the world. INS Vishal is a step towards protecting Indian interests through indigenous innovations.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2015 | Naval Design Bureau begins planning for INS Vishal. |
| 2025 | Two-carrier operational force expected. |
| 2030s | Potential commissioning of INS Vishal. |
Below is a comparison table of all the Aircraft carriers India had till date:
| Carrier | Origin | Commissioned | Displacement | Aircraft Capacity | Status |
| INS Vikrant (R11) | UK | 1961 | ~19,500 tonnes | 20 | Decommissioned |
| INS Viraat (R22) | UK | 1987 | ~28,700 tonnes | 26 | Decommissioned |
| INS Vikramaditya (R33) | Russia (Refit) | 2013 | ~44,500 tonnes | 30+ | Active |
| INS Vikrant (IAC‑1) | India (Indigenous) | 2022 | ~45,000 tonnes | 30+ | Active |
| INS Vishal (Planned) | India (Proposed) | TBD | ~65,000–75,000 t | 55+ | Design Phase |
Indian Aircraft Carriers List with Service Periods
| Carrier Name | Service Period |
| INS Vikrant (R11) | 1961–1997 |
| INS Viraat (R22) | 1987–2017 |
| INS Vikramaditya (R33) | 2013–Present |
| INS Vikrant (IAC‑1) | 2022–Present |
| INS Vishal (IAC‑3) | TBD (Planned) |
Looking ahead to Indian Aircraft Carriers 2025, India is expected to have a dual-carrier capability with INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya fully operational. A third aircraft carrier, INS Vishal, is in the conceptual phase. It is expected to feature:
INS Vishal will significantly expand the operational envelope of Indian naval aviation, allowing for sustained presence in the Indo-Pacific. Politically, it aligns with India’s strategic ambition to be a net security provider in the region.
The evolution of Indian Aircraft Carriers reflects India’s changing defense needs, technological advancement, and strategic intent. Starting with foreign acquisitions like INS Vikrant and INS Viraat, India has moved toward indigenous production with INS Vikrant (IAC‑1). The roadmap toward INS Vishal signifies India’s aspirations for global naval presence.
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The first aircraft carrier of India was INS Vikrant, commissioned in 1961 and played a crucial role in the 1971 war.
INS Vikrant (IAC‑1), commissioned in 2022, is the first aircraft carrier built entirely in India.
By 2025, India operates two aircraft carriers: INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, ensuring continuous maritime deployment.
INS Vishal is a proposed next-generation Indian aircraft carrier, expected to feature advanced technologies and greater aircraft capacity than its predecessors.
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