ADDRESS BY CNS LAUNCH CEREMONY OF INDIGENOUS AIRCRAFT CARRIER I (INS VIKRANT) AT CSL, KOCHI – 12 AUG 13 1. Shri AK Antony, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri GK Vasan, Hon’ble Minister for Shipping, Hon’ble Members of Parliament, Hon’ble Members of Legislative Assembly & Council, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Commodore K Subramaniam, Chairman & Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Limited, Flag Officers, Board of Directors of CSL, the proud work force of CSL, distinguished guests, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen. 2. I would at the outset like to thank the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri and the Hon’ble Minister of Shipping for their presence at this momentous occasion, which is historic not only for the Navy, but for the entire nation. I would also like to compliment the Chairman & Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard and his team for making this occasion a reality. 3. The Navy has always been conscious that designing and building warships is a strategic core capability for any country. After the first indigenous warship INS Ajay was constructed in 1960, 2 the then Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi, launched our first indigenous frigate INS Nilgiri in 1968. Since then we have never looked back. 4. The next significant capability achieved was in-house designing. The ships of Godavari, Brahmaputra, Delhi and Shivalik, designed by naval design teams, exemplify this niche competence/ we also constructed two conventional submarines. The valuable exposure to the technical know-how of submarine construction has helped us embark on an indigenous 30 year submarine building programme. While pursuing the nation’s strategic interests, we too a leap of faith – and have designed and built a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Arihant. 5. Navy is committed to supporting indigenisation, as a matter of policy. Towards this, I thank the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri for proactively supporting us in maintaining our focus on self-reliance and indigenous warship construction. 60% of our ships and submarines today in commission have been built in Indian shipyards, and 46 out of 47 ships and submarines currently on order are being built in India, in both public and private shipyards. “Indian Navy - Maritime Security through Self-Reliance”, is our chosen theme for the Navy Week this year, and amply encapsulates our commitment 3 to indigenisation in quest for strategic autonomy, an perative for any national power of relevance. 6. There is no need to dwell on the need to build and operate aircraft carriers. Given our far-flung national interests, myriad national security responsibilities, regional roles, and extremely dynamic maritime security environment, the need of a maritime capability centred on modern aircraft carriers stands well established. 7. With construction of IAC 1, we would have indigenously built almost all possible types of naval platforms. Thus the launching today of IAC 1 is yet another major milestone in long and eventful history of warship production in India. Indigenous construction of complex platforms such as an Aircraft Carrier is a matter of immense pride for any nation. 8. The IAC 1 project is unique on many counts. Firstly, we have ventured into a domain that was the guarded preserve of only a few select countries. As on date, only about eight countries are constructing aircraft carriers themselves. Another, unique accomplishment would be when this ship operates the naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. Finally, it is the largest warship with extensive technology content being built by any shipyard in India, a first CSL will be justifiably proud of. 4 9. Constructing an aircraft carrier, that too for the first time, certainly has its own share of challenges. The incorporation of numerous high end technologies, setting up of intricate aviation facilities complex, installation and integration of one of the most powerful propulsion systems onboard any ship, and 3D modelling for outfitting of such a complex ship is no mean task. Navy and CSL have been associated for many years, especially with respect to the refit of INS Viraat and other major warships. In IAC 1 project, Navy worked closely with the shipyard to ensure that nation’s maiden attempt to build and field an aircraft carrier is an unqualified ess. Given the importance of the project, Naval personnel with requisite seniority, technical expertise and Aircraft Carrier background have been positioned full time at CSL to coordinate all construction activities. 10. While we have produced quality warships, our shipyards need to constantly strive to transform with the aim to achieve global standards in quality, productivity and build periods, so that we get the maximum value for every Rupee spent and there is no need to look overseas. In this regard I once again urge CSL to compress timelines wherever feasible, so that IAC 1 is operationalised at the earliest. 11. To conclude, I once again congratulate Cochin Shipyard Limited and their dedicated workforce, and the Navy’s design, overseeing 5 and QA teams, to have shown exemplary perseverance to reach this important milestone. I would also like to complement the DRDO laboratories, Indian Industry and Classification Societies, without whose valuable support, our success in the project would not have been possible. I wish Cochin Shipyard greater success in their endeavours in coming years. 12. Thank You. Shano Varuna - Jai Hind..