5 Key Facts About INS Vikrant, India’s First Home-Built Aircraft Carrier, Where PM Modi Marked Diwali

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuing his every year tradition, celebrated Diwali with the personnel of the Indian Navy aboard INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa. Prime Minister Modi arrived at Panaji

on Sunday evening and boarded the home-built aircraft carrier off the coast of Goa. While onboard INS Vikrant, the prime minister went to the flight deck, surrounded by MiG 29K fighter aircraft. He witnessed the takeoff and landing of MiG 29 fighter jets on a short runway of the aircraft carrier, both during the day and in the dark night.

PM Modi also witnessed a vibrant cultural programme where the officers and sailors of the Indian Navy sang various patriotic songs, including a song specially written by them to commemorate the success of Indian Armed Forces in Operation Sindoor. The jawans sang 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' as PM Modi waved at them during Diwali celebrations, according to a video shared by news agency PTI.

5 Key Facts About INS Vikrant

1. INS Vikrant, India's first home-built aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 2022 to strengthen the country's naval presence.2. Described as a city on the move, INS Vikrant is the largest warship to be built in India. According to a report by the Indian Navy, the warship is as massive as two football fields end to end and 18 floors tall.

3. INS Vikrant is India's second operational aircraft carrier after INS Vikramaditya, which was built on a Russian platform.4. According to the Western Naval Command, INS Vikrant is a significant enhancement to the maritime enhancement to the maritime power and reach of the Indian Navy's 'Sword Arm'.

5. It has been named after its predecessor, which played a key role during the 1971 war against Pakistan for the liberation of Bangladesh.

PM Modi's Message From INS Vikrant

"Just a few months ago, we witnessed how the very name Vikrant sent waves of fear across Pakistan. Such is its might — a name that shatters the enemy’s courage even before the battle begins. This is the power of INS Vikrant... On this occasion, I especially want to salute our armed forces..." PM Modi said while addressing the Indian Navy personnel during Diwali celebration aboard INS Vikrant.