India’s first homegrown aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, has received a
significant upgrade with state-of-the-art military equipment, including a new
guidance radar and surface-to-air missiles. The upgrade is aimed at fortifying
the warship’s defensive capabilities amidst escalating regional tensions.

Advanced Equipment For Enhanced Defence

The newly installed equipment includes the Multi-Function Surveillance, Track
and Guidance Radar (MF-STAR) and Barak-8 Medium Range Surface to Air missiles
(MRSAMs). These systems are of Israeli origin, with MRSAMs being manufactured
in India under license. The combination of MF-STAR and MRSAM is a proven
defense mechanism, also deployed on the Indian Navy’s Kolkata and
Visakhapatnam class destroyers. The MF-STAR radar is designed to detect
threats such as aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and cruise missiles, while the
MRSAM can engage and neutralize these threats at distances exceeding 80
kilometers.

INS Vikrant: A Symbol of India’s Naval Prowess

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Vikrant in September of the
previous year as part of an initiative to strengthen domestic production for a
military operating under dual-border tensions. The 45,000-tonne carrier, with
a length of 262 meters and a width of 62 meters, has the capacity to carry up
to 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets and helicopters, and house a
crew of approximately 1,600.

Future Plans And International Recognition

The Indian Navy plans to showcase INS Vikrant at Milan-2024, an international
naval exercise scheduled for next year. In a bid to further enhance its aerial
capabilities, India is negotiating with France to acquire 26 Rafale-M aircraft
to replace the carrier’s current MiG-29K jets. With the commissioning of INS
Vikrant, India has joined a select group of nations – the US, UK, Russia,
China, and France – that have the ability to design and construct their own
aircraft carriers.