'INS Vikrant gave sleepless nights to Pakistan': PM Modi celebrates Diwali with Navy personnel

PM Modi said the INS Vikrant, which is India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, reflects the capability of India's armed forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said INS Vikrant is not just warship, it is a testimony to 21st-century India's hard work, talent, impact and commitment.

While addressing Navy personnel on INS Vikrant this Diwali, PM Modi said, “I remember when INS Vikrant was being inducted - I said that Vikrant is huge, humongous, special. It is not just a warship but a symbol of 21st-century India and its talent and commitment…”

PM Modi said the INS Vikrant, which is India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, reflects the capability of India's armed forces.

"It brought Pakistan to its knees within days during Operation Sindoor," he said.

The Prime Minister honoured the courage and commitment of naval personnel to the nation, describing the occasion as deeply symbolic and memorable.

“Today is an amazing day. This scene is memorable. On one side, I have the ocean, and on the other, the strength of the brave soldiers of Mother India," PM Modi said.

The PM said the glow of the sun’s rays on the ocean’s waters feels like the Diwali lamps lit by India's brave soldiers."

'The fear created by the Indian Navy. The amazing skill displayed by the Indian Air Force. The bravery of the Indian Army. The tremendous coordination of the three forces forced Pakistan to surrender so quickly in Operation Sindoor," PM Modi said.

He said Vikrant is huge, vast and panoramic. "Vikrant is outstanding, Vikrant is also special," PM Modi said.

The PM  on Monday continued his tradition of celebrating the festival of Diwali with soldiers, as he visited the INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar.

PM Modi interacted with the soldiers and said he was fortunate to celebrate the festival of lights with the Naval personnel.

The 262-metre-long INS Vikrant has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes, which is much larger and advanced than her predecessor. The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totalling 88 MW of power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots. Built at an overall cost of close to Rs. 20,000 Crs, the project has been progressed in three Phases of contract between MoD and CSL, concluded in May 2007, December 2014 and October 2019 respectively.

The ship's keel was laid in February 2009, followed by launching in August 2013. With an overall indigenous content of 76 per cent, IAC is a perfect example of the nation's quest for "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" and provides thrust to the Government's 'Make in India' initiative. With the delivery of Vikrant, India has joined a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier.

Vikrant has been built with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, and has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. The ship would be capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).

Last year, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with the armed forces near the Indo-Pak border in Kutch.