When INS Vikrant (R11) gave nightmare to Pakistan's Navy!

New Delhi, Aug 13: On Monday, The Indian Navy's iconic former warship INS Vikrant took a rebirth in Kochi. Soon, after its launch, the images of India's home-built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant went viral on the Internet and they were shared in the online world.

The whole country is elated with the launch of the warship INS Vikrant, as it has put India in the list of nations having warships.

Before inaugurating the aircraft, the Defence Minister AK Antony broke a coconut, that is a ritual in India, performed before any auspicious event.

Although the INS Vikrant is being discussed everywhere, but very few are aware of the fact that once, this aircraft gave a 'nightmare' to the neighbouring country, Pakistan. And there is no doubt, that this time, too, it must have left Pakistan sweating!

India's former iconic warship, the INS Vikrant(R11)

Presently, the INS Vikrant (R11), that is recognized for its commendable services, is preserved as a maritime museum in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.

India in the list of few nations...

Defence Minister A K Antony, his wife Elizabeth Antony, Union Shipping Minister G KVasan (L) and Admiral D K Joshi, Chief of the Naval staff (R) after the launch of indigenous Aircraft Carrier (P-71) 'INS Vikrant' in Kochi on Monday.

The INS Vikrant's rebirth

Defence Minister A K Antony and wife Elizabeth Antony with Union shipping Minister G K Vasan ( 2nd L) and Admiral D K Joshi, chief of the Naval staff (3rd R) after the launch of indigenous Aircraft Carrier (P-71) 'INS Vikrant' at Kochi on Monday.

The INS Vikrant on a new journey...

Wife of Union Defence Minister A K Antony, Elizabeth Antony launches the indigenous Aircraft Carrier (P-71) 'INS Vikrant' in presence of defence minister, Union shipping minister GK Vasan ( L) and Admiral D K Joshi, chief of the Naval staff (2nd R) at Kochi on Monday.

The new 'avatar' of the iconic INS Vikrant....

India's first indigenous Aircraft Carrier (P-71) INS Vikrant, after its launch by, Elizabeth Antony, wife of India's Defence Minister A K Antony at Kochi on Monday.

Lets turn the pages of history and take a glimpse at the INS Vikrant (R11) that is still and forever be remembered by the Indian for its distinguished service.

Here, we are talking about that Vikrant , that was purchased by India in 1957 from the United Kingdom(UK). Then, it was commissioned in the Indian Navy fleet on March 4 1961 by the then Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vijaylaxmi Pandit. It was the warship, on which dozens of aircrafts could take off simultaneously and helicopters could land.

In 1961, the INS Vikrant (R11) became India's first aircraft carrier. The fact to be noted, here, is that it played a crucial role in enforcing the naval blockade on East Pakistan during the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

The construction of INS Vikrant was first done by the UK's Royal Navy in the form of HMS Hercules (R 49) and on November 12, 1943, it was laid down in the River Tyne.

It was launched on September 22, 1945 but, it's construction work was suspended in May 1946 due to the end of World War II.

The first Commanding Officer of this carrier, that joined the Bombay unit of the Indian Navy, on November 3 1961, was Captain Pritam Singh. It was re-deployed towards Chittagong during India-Pakistan war of 1971.

In 1965, Pakistan even claimed that it had sunk the Vikrant. But, at that time, the ship was undergoing some modifications.

According to the Naval Intelligence reports, the Pakistan Navy's all attempts to launch an attack on INS Vikrant went in vain on December 4, 1971.

Then Pakistan Navy deployed its special submarine named PNS Ghazi- to target and sink the INS Vikrant. But before it could reach Vishakhapatnam to incapacitate Vikrant, the another India's cruiser, INS Rajput (D141) sank off the PNS Ghazi due to depth charges.

The Navy crew deployed on the INS Vikrant left Pakistan's Navy sweating and successfully foiled their unscrupulous attempts. For this, the Navy's crew of Vikrant was rewarded with two Mahavir Chakras and 12 Veer Chakras.

Presently, the INS Vikrant (R11), that is recognized for its commendable services, is preserved as a maritime museum in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.

OneIndia News