The Vikrant class aircraft carriers (formerly, the Project 71 "Air Defence Ship" (ADS)) are the first aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy to be designed and built in India. They are being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
The Vikrant class carriers will be the largest warships built by CSL. Work on the lead vessel of the class started in 2008, and the keel was laid in February 2009. In 2007, eighty percent of work on the carrier was expected to be completed before a launch in 2010, but by October 2010 only two of the 21 blocks had been completed. The first carrier of the class was expected to enter service by 2012, but was delayed by a year reportedly due to the inability of Russia to supply the AB/A grade steel. As a result, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) created facilities to manufacture the steel in India. In August 2009, the military purchasing publication Defence Industry Daily reported that the service date had slipped to at least 2015. CSL expects the Navy to place the order for the second carrier of the class 2010, and work is planned to begin in 2010.
| Name | Pennant | Tonnage | Laid down | Launched | Sea trials | Commissioning | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INS Vikrant | 40,000 | Feb 2009 | 2013 | 2014 | Conventional-powered STOBAR carrier | ||
| INS Vishal | 65,000 | Mid 2011 | 2015 | 2017 | Conventional-powered CATOBAR carrier |
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