India’s new floating airfield INS Vikramaditya entered the Indian Ocean Region earlier this week where it was joined by INS Viraat, the Navy’s second aircraft carrier.

The Viraat’s meeting with the Vikramaditya was a momentous occasion for the Navy as it was only the first time since 1992 when two carriers operated together.

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INS Viraat had earlier operated with INS Vikrant before the latter was decommissioned in the late 1990s. It is a repeat of history of sorts as the new aircraft carrier is joining the fleet when Viraat is on its last legs having undergone several life extensions.

Transition: INS Vikramaditya (left) with INS Viraat and Western Fleet ship INS Teg (background)

Transition: INS Vikramaditya (left) with INS Viraat and Western Fleet ship INS Teg (background)

INS Vikramaditya has sailed non-stop for over 8,000 nautical miles (nm) without entering any port ever since it started from the Russian shipyard in Sevmash at Severodvinsk.

The new aircraft carrier is headed for Karwar naval base. The process of integration of the new aircraft carrier with the naval fleet will start soon after its arrival.

The first major task for the Navy would be integration of the MiG-29K combat jets with the carrier. The Indian pilots are yet to operate the combat jets from the carriers.

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Landing on the decks would be carried out by the pilots who have already been trained at the facility in Russia.

After the integration of the combat jets, the aircraft carrier would be integrated with the fleet to become fully operational.

Naval sources said the entire process should be completed within the next six months. Apart from Viraat, Vikramaditya was also received by warships INS Teg and INS Mumbai.

Frigate INS Trikand and destroyer INS Delhi were already accompanying the carrier along with fleet tanker INS Deepak.

The meeting of the ships took place around 1,200nm from the country’s shore on New Year’s eve.

Adding to Vikramaditya’s capability will be the superior MiG-29K fighters. The aircraft carrier is meant to operate short take off and arrested landing (STOBAR) fighters along with a whole range of other aviation platforms, from the ageing Sea Harriers to Kamov, Sea King and ALH Dhruv helicopters.

File:INS Viraat front view.jpg

The officials said the MiG- 29Ks have to be perfectly synced with the aircraft during the extensive trials. The carrier can accommodate up to 34 aircraft.

The MiG-29Ks come armed with beyond visual range guided anti-ship missiles apart from the bombs and rockets.

With the help of mid-air refuelling, they would be operate with a range of around 2,000nm making it a formidable asset.

The aviation aids installed on the ship provide perfect setting for handling aircraft operations in all weather conditions.

The landing system for the MiG-29Ks – the Deck Approach Projector Sight (DAPS) – and other aircraft were meant to help smooth operations.