{"id":3037,"date":"2025-05-10T14:00:19","date_gmt":"2025-05-10T08:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/?p=3037"},"modified":"2025-10-18T13:33:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T08:03:04","slug":"indian-aircraft-carriers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/","title":{"rendered":"Indian Aircraft Carriers List: INSA Vikrant, INS VIRAAT, INS Vikramaditya, INS VISHAL"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<label class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/label>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #127abf;color:#127abf\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/#Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vikrant_%E2%80%93_The_First_Aircraft_Carrier_of_India_1950s%E2%80%931960s\" >Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vikrant \u2013 The First Aircraft Carrier of India (1950s\u20131960s)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/#Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Viraat_1980s%E2%80%932017_%E2%80%93_Sustaining_Carrier_Capability\" >Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Viraat (1980s\u20132017) \u2013 Sustaining Carrier Capability<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/#Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vikramaditya_%E2%80%93_Expansion_Through_Global_Collaboration\" >Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vikramaditya \u2013 Expansion Through Global Collaboration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/#Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vikrant_IAC%E2%80%911_%E2%80%93_First_Indigenous_Aircraft_Carrier_of_India\" >Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vikrant (IAC\u20111) \u2013 First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/#Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vishal_and_the_Future_of_Indian_Aircraft_Carriers\" >Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vishal and the Future of Indian Aircraft Carriers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/#Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_Aircraft_Carrier_Specifications_Comparison\" >Indian Aircraft Carriers: Aircraft Carrier Specifications Comparison<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/indian-aircraft-carriers\/#Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_FAQs\" >Indian Aircraft Carriers FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<h1><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers List: INSA Vikrant, INS VIRAAT, INS Vikramaditya, INS VISHAL<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Aircraft Carriers have long been the centerpiece of India&#8217;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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vikrant_%E2%80%93_The_First_Aircraft_Carrier_of_India_1950s%E2%80%931960s\"><\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vikrant \u2013 The First Aircraft Carrier of India (1950s\u20131960s)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikrant, India\u2019s first aircraft carrier, marked the beginning of the country\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3039\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Air-craft.png?resize=300%2C153&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Air-craft.png?resize=300%2C153&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/The-Air-craft.png?w=407&amp;ssl=1 407w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Milestone<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1957<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India purchases British HMS Hercules.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1961<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commissioned as INS Vikrant \u2013 India&#8217;s first aircraft carrier.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1961<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participates in Operation Vijay for Goa\u2019s liberation.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1965<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deploys during India-Pakistan conflict as a deterrent.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1971<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conducts air strikes in East Pakistan during the war.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Viraat_1980s%E2%80%932017_%E2%80%93_Sustaining_Carrier_Capability\"><\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Viraat (1980s\u20132017) \u2013 Sustaining Carrier Capability<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Viraat, formerly HMS Hermes, was commissioned as India\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3040\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/INS-Viraat.png?resize=285%2C198&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"285\" height=\"198\" \/><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Milestone<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1986<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India purchases British HMS Hermes.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1987<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commissioned as INS Viraat.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1989<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supports Operation Jupiter in Sri Lanka.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1999<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active during Kargil War to secure maritime borders.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2001<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deploys during Operation Parakram.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2017<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decommissioned after 30 years of service.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vikramaditya_%E2%80%93_Expansion_Through_Global_Collaboration\"><\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vikramaditya \u2013 Expansion Through Global Collaboration<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s largest warship at the time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3041\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ISN-vikrmaditya.png?resize=300%2C179&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ISN-vikrmaditya.png?resize=300%2C179&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/ISN-vikrmaditya.png?w=303&amp;ssl=1 303w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Milestone<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2004<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India signs deal with Russia for Admiral Gorshkov.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commissioned as INS Vikramaditya.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2015\u201320<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participates in joint exercises like MALABAR.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vikrant_IAC%E2%80%911_%E2%80%93_First_Indigenous_Aircraft_Carrier_of_India\"><\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vikrant (IAC\u20111) \u2013 First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier of India<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-3042\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/INS-Vikrant.png?resize=300%2C176&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/INS-Vikrant.png?resize=300%2C176&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/INS-Vikrant.png?w=610&amp;ssl=1 610w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Milestone<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2009<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keel laid at Cochin Shipyard.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Launched for sea trials.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2022<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Commissioned as INS Vikrant (IAC\u20111).<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikrant (IAC\u20111) represents a watershed moment in Indian naval history as the <\/span><b>first indigenous aircraft carrier of India<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. With a displacement of 45,000 tonnes and a length of 262 meters, Vikrant embodies self-reliance under the \u201cMake in India\u201d initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Equipped with MiG\u201129K fighters and indigenous radars and weapons systems, it was designed by the Indian Navy\u2019s Directorate of Naval Design. INS Vikrant is pivotal to India&#8217;s aim of fielding multiple operational aircraft carriers simultaneously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also Read: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/list-of-missiles-of-india\/#:~:text=India's%20nuclear%2Dcapable%20ballistic%20missiles,part%20of%20India's%20strategic%20deterrent.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">List of Missiles of India<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"metaslider-id-5575\" style=\"width: 100%;\" class=\"ml-slider-3-107-0 metaslider metaslider-flex metaslider-5575 ml-slider has-dots-nav ms-theme-default-base\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"New Slideshow\" data-height=\"300\" data-width=\"700\">\n    <div id=\"metaslider_container_5575\">\n        <div id=\"metaslider_5575\">\n            <ul aria-live='off' class='slides'>\n                <li style=\"display: block; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5579 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"400-X-180cdr-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/mains\/upsc-qep-2026-batch-5-english\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/400-X-180cdr-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5579 msDefaultImage\" title=\"400 X 180cdr\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5580 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"pocket-notes-website-400x180-1-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/upsc-cse-books\/qep-pocket-notes-2.0\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pocket-notes-website-400x180-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5580 msDefaultImage\" title=\"pocket-notes-website-400x180\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n                <li style=\"display: none; width: 100%;\" class=\"slide-5581 ms-image \" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" data-date=\"2025-10-11 11:47:58\" data-filename=\"web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled-700x300.jpg\" data-slide-type=\"image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/upsc-cse-books\/toppers-handwritten-upsc-pyq-4-books\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"View Slide Details\" class=\"metaslider_image_link\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/web-site-banner-toppers-book.-400x180-1-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C300&#038;ssl=1\" height=\"300\" width=\"700\" alt=\"\" class=\"slider-5575 slide-5581 msDefaultImage\" title=\"web site banner toppers book. 400x180\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        \n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_INS_Vishal_and_the_Future_of_Indian_Aircraft_Carriers\"><\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers: INS Vishal and the Future of Indian Aircraft Carriers<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Year<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Milestone<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2015<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Naval Design Bureau begins planning for INS Vishal.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two-carrier operational force expected.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2030s<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potential commissioning of INS Vishal.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_Aircraft_Carrier_Specifications_Comparison\"><\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers: Aircraft Carrier Specifications Comparison<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below is a comparison table of all the Aircraft carriers India had till date:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Carrier<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Origin<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Commissioned<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Displacement<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Aircraft Capacity<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Status<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikrant (R11)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UK<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1961<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~19,500 tonnes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decommissioned<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Viraat (R22)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UK<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1987<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~28,700 tonnes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decommissioned<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikramaditya (R33)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Russia (Refit)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~44,500 tonnes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30+<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikrant (IAC\u20111)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India (Indigenous)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2022<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~45,000 tonnes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30+<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vishal (Planned)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India (Proposed)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TBD<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">~65,000\u201375,000 t<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">55+<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Design Phase<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers List with Service Periods<\/b><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Carrier Name<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Service Period<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikrant (R11)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1961\u20131997<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Viraat (R22)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1987\u20132017<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikramaditya (R33)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2013\u2013Present<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vikrant (IAC\u20111)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2022\u2013Present<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">INS Vishal (IAC\u20113)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TBD (Planned)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking ahead to <\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers 2025<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, 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:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">65,000\u201375,000 tonnes displacement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nuclear or hybrid propulsion (under consideration)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CATOBAR launch system, possibly with EMALS<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capability to host 50\u201355 aircraft, including AEW platforms<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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\u2019s strategic ambition to be a net security provider in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The evolution of <\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reflects India\u2019s 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\u20111). The roadmap toward <\/span><b>INS Vishal<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> signifies India\u2019s aspirations for global naval presence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Are you preparing for UPSC 2025?<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/courses\/prelims\/prelims-samadhaan-mentorship-2025?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=home_page&amp;utm_campaign=course\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b> Join IAShub\u2019s UPSC coaching batches<\/b><\/a><b> to boost your preparation. Enroll now!<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Indian_Aircraft_Carriers_FAQs\"><\/span><b>Indian Aircraft Carriers FAQs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<style>#sp-ea-3038 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-3038{ position: relative; }#sp-ea-3038 .ea-card{ opacity: 0;}#eap-preloader-3038{ position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; height: 100%;width: 100%; text-align: center;display: flex; align-items: center;justify-content: center;}#sp-ea-3038.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {margin-bottom: 10px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-3038.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-3038.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #fff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-3038.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #eee;}#sp-ea-3038.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon { float: left; color: #444;font-size: 16px;}.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  padding: 7px;\r\n  background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n.sp-ea-one.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  font-size: 1rem;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single .ea-header a .ea-expand-icon {\r\n  margin-right: 0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion .sp-ea-single{\r\n background: #fff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.ea-expand a{\r\n  background: #cfe2ff !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.sp-easy-accordion{\r\n  margin-bottom: 1rem;\r\n  margin-top: 1rem;\r\n}<\/style><div id=\"sp_easy_accordion-1746864995\"><div id=\"sp-ea-3038\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ea-active=\"ea-click\" data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"1\" data-scroll-active-item=\"1\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div id=\"eap-preloader-3038\" class=\"accordion-preloader\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-content\/plugins\/easy-accordion-free\/public\/assets\/ea_loader.svg\" alt=\"Loader image\"\/><\/div><div class=\"ea-card ea-expand sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-30380\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse30380\" aria-controls=\"collapse30380\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-minus\"><\/i> What are Indian Aircraft Carriers?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse collapsed show\" id=\"collapse30380\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3038\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-30380\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indian Aircraft Carriers are large naval warships equipped to deploy and recover aircraft, enabling India to project air power over the seas and secure its maritime interests.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-30381\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse30381\" aria-controls=\"collapse30381\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> Which was the first aircraft carrier of India?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse30381\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3038\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-30381\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0The first aircraft carrier of India was INS Vikrant, commissioned in 1961 and played a crucial role in the 1971 war.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-30382\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse30382\" aria-controls=\"collapse30382\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What is the first indigenous aircraft carrier of India?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse30382\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3038\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-30382\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0INS Vikrant (IAC\u20111), commissioned in 2022, is the first aircraft carrier built entirely in India.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-30383\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse30383\" aria-controls=\"collapse30383\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> How many Indian Aircraft Carriers are operational in 2025?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse30383\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3038\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-30383\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0By 2025, India operates two aircraft carriers: INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, ensuring continuous maritime deployment.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" id=\"ea-header-30384\" role=\"button\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse30384\" aria-controls=\"collapse30384\" href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" tabindex=\"0\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"ea-expand-icon eap-icon-ea-expand-plus\"><\/i> What is INS Vishal aircraft carrier?<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse30384\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-3038\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"ea-header-30384\"> <div class=\"ea-body\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">INS Vishal is a proposed next-generation Indian aircraft carrier, expected to feature advanced technologies and greater aircraft capacity than its predecessors.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A detailed timeline of Indian aircraft carriers from INS\u202fVikrant to INS\u202fVikramaditya and INS\u202fVikrant (IAC\u20111), highlighting military significance, political milestones, and the strategic path toward 2025.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3037"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6166,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3037\/revisions\/6166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theiashub.com\/upsc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}