CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The aviation complex of the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft, is in the process of getting operationalised. The Naval variant of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) made its maiden landing on board the INS Vikrant on Monday, marking a milestone towards the Navy’s self-reliance plans.

Detailed explanation-2: -India will have two aircraft carriers after INS Vikramaditya is ready for operations, the other being INS Vikrant, already undergoing sea trials on the western seaboard. Vikrant will be based in Visakhapatnam on the eastern seaboard of India and the former Russian carrier INS Vikramaditya will be based on the western.

Detailed explanation-3: -INS Vikrant (R11)-India’s First Aircraft Carrier The INS Vikrant was launched on September 22, 1945 as Hercules. However, its construction was stalled and was completed when India purchased it from Britain in 1957.

Detailed explanation-4: -Its primary embarked aircraft type is the Mikoyan MiG-29K, a navalised version of the Mikoyan MiG-29M. The MiG-29K is an advanced, all-weather multi-role fighter capable of undertaking both the fleet air defence, low-level strike and anti-shipping roles.

Detailed explanation-5: -INS Vikramaditya is a flagship of the Indian Navy, in service from 2013. It was originally a Russian Kiev-Class ship before being modified into a full-fledged aircraft carrier after its purchase by India. She was commissioned on 16 November 2013 at a ceremony held at Severodvinsk, Russia.