Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday said since 1999 INS Vikrant is the collective effort of all governments.
Congress leader further stated in getting INS Vikrant from the UK former defense minister Krishna Menon played a key role.
Taking to Twitter Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “India’s 1st indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant commissioned today is a collective effort of all govts since 1999. Will PM acknowledge? Let’s also recall the original INS Vikrant that served us well in the 1971 war. Much reviled Krishna Menon played a key role in getting it from the UK.”
Earlier in the day, PM Narendra Modi in Kochi commissioned the first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited.
“Today, here on the coast of Kerala, every Indian is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. This event held on INS Vikrant is a tribute to India’s rising spirits on the world horizon,” PM Modi said.
“Vikrant is huge and special. Vikrant is not just a warship. This is a testimony to the hard work, talent, influence, and commitment of 21st century India.”
Meanwhile, Vikrant is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India which is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The aircraft is named after India’s first aircraft carrier which played an important role in the 1971 war. It consists of indigenous equipment and machinery and 100 Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Moreover, at the cost of Rs 20,000 crore, INS Vikrant has been built and completed its sea trials last month. The ship consists of 2,300 compartments and has a capacity of around 1700 people.
Earlier in 2009, its keel was laid and the ship has a speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots. It is 262 meters long, 62 meters wide and 59 meters height.
However, commissioning India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier signifies the country’s confidence. It also portrays that India can build their aircraft carriers.