Aerospace

7 Amazing facts to know about India’s first indigenous Aircraft Carrier

The brand-new navy aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Let’s explore some amazing details concerning the huge machine.

The brand-new navy aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. Let’s explore some amazing details concerning the huge machine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the session where the Navy was given control of the massive aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which joined the Indian Navy one day ago. Let’s learn more about this ship’s capabilities and why it is so crucial for protecting the Indian border.

It has 2,500 kilometers of cables

It generates enough electricity to run 5000 homes, and the wire will connect to Kashi from Kochi. there are 2,500 kilometers of cables. According to reports, IAC-1 contains 23,000 tonnes of steel, 150 kilometers of pipelines, 2,000 valves, and a variety of finished goods like rigid hull boats, galley equipment, air conditioning, refrigeration systems, and steering gear, indicating that more than 76% of the material and equipment on board is indigenous.

How many people worked in creating INS Vikrant?

According to reports, more than 50 companies directly employed almost 2,000 Indians each day on board IAC-1. Additionally, the project indirectly employed 40,000 people. Additionally, the approximately Rs 23,000 crore total project cost has been injected back into the Indian economy.

What is the INS Vikrant’s entire weight?

The new warship, which weighs 40,000 tonnes, is comparable to India’s present aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, which weighs 44,500 tonnes and can accommodate up to 34 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. The battleship will be an unmatched military tool because of its ability to project Air Power over great distances.

What number of compartments did Vikrant have?

With 18 stories, INS Vikrant is referred to as a floating city. It has 14 decks and 2,300 compartments, which can hold about 1,500 sea warriors. The ship’s kitchen produces about 10,000 chapatis or rotis daily to meet the needs of the crew. The INS Vikrant has 2,400 compartments, 250 fuel tankers, and a 16-bed hospital.

What types of weapons can it hold?

With 32 Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, Vikrant is armed (MRSAM). The Kavach anti-missile naval decoy system and AK 630 rotary cannons will also be installed on the aircraft carrier.

What types of aircraft will it transport?

The vessel has been built to fly “a variety of fixed wing and rotary aircraft,” according to the military ministry. In addition to the indigenously produced Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and the MH-60R multirole helicopter made by the American military firm Lockheed Martin, the MiG-29K fighter jet and Kamov-31 early warning helicopters developed in Russia will also be transported, according to the Navy. The largest ship ever constructed in Indian maritime history is the INS Vikrant. Its size is equivalent to two football fields.

What kind of INS is Vikrant using to power the enormous Fleet?

The new INS Vikrant, which is propelled by four 22 MW gas turbine engines, has a range of 7,500 nautical miles (about 13,900 km), which translates into an uninterrupted sea voyage from India to Brazil.

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.