Q18. Write a brief note on recently commissioned INS Vikrant and its significance in India's maritime security. Also elucidate challenges of indigenization for Indian Navy.

“A sovereign nation needs a credible navy to protect its seas.” Indian Naval Doctrine

INS Vikrant (IAC-1), India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 2022. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited under the Make in India initiative, Vikrant symbolizes India’s stride toward naval self-reliance and enhanced maritime capability.

Significance for Maritime Security

• Power Projection: Vikrant enhances India’s blue-water capability, enabling air operations, maritime domain control, and humanitarian assistance across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Force Multiplier: Embarked MiG-29K fighters and multirole helicopters expand sea-control, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and maritime strike options.
• Strategic Deterrence: Carrier presence deters adversaries, secures sea lanes (SLOCs), and protects India’s trade lifelines critical for energy imports and trade.
• Indigenous Capability Showcase: Demonstrates integration of local shipbuilding, indigenous systems (some sensors, weapons), and naval aviation training.

Challenges of Indigenization

• Complex Systems Integration: Aircraft carriers require sophisticated propulsion, CATOBAR/ STOBAR systems, arrestor gear, and secure aviation operations areas with limited domestic experience.
• Supply Chain and Ecosystem: Indigenous supply base for high-end equipment (radars, gas turbines, jet engines) is immature; dependence on foreign components persists.
• Cost and Time Overruns: Vikrant faced schedule slips and budget escalations indicating project management and technological readiness issues.
• Skilled Human Capital: Need for specialized shipbuilding workforce, naval aviation training, and maintenance personnel.
• R&D and Testing Infrastructure: Limited domestic testing facilities for marine turbines, advanced composites, and integrated weapons systems hamper rapid indigenization.

Policy Measures & Initiatives

• Make in India and Strategic Partnerships: Policies encourage joint ventures, offsets, and FDI in defense manufacturing.
• Defence R&D Reforms: Greater funding for DRDO, incentives for MSMEs, and Defence Industrial Corridors (including in Haryana) aim to build a domestic base.
• Indigenisation of Spares (IIS) Policy: Prioritizes local suppliers for spares and components.
• Haryana Contribution Haryana houses defence industrial units and training centres that support naval supply chains; state initiatives to establish defence industrial parks dovetail with naval indigenisation aims.

INS Vikrant is a milestone in India’s maritime capability and strategic autonomy. To fully realize indigenization, India must strengthen supply chains, invest in advanced R&D, nurture skilled manpower, and streamline project management ensuring future carriers and complex platforms are built faster and with greater indigenous content.