The Vikrant class indigenous aircraft carrier IAC-1, which is being built at Kochi, is likely to be inducted into the Indian Navy by 2021 and will be allotted to Eastern Naval Command and will be based in Visakhapatnam, said Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ENC, Karambir Singh.

He was interacting with the media on the eve of the Navy Day on board Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate INS Sahyadri.

This aircraft carrier will give an edge to the eastern fleet and the Indian Navy will have two battle carrier groups — the other will be based at the western fleet with aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya heading it.

According to Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh, work is apace for the required infrastructural facility to dock the new aircraft carrier.

INS Dega will also serve as the base of the MIG29K fighter aircraft.

Referring to a question on running a fighter squadron from INS Dega, which is also used for commercial operation, he said, “We have to find workable time slots between commercial and military operations. We have been insisting that commercial flights, especially the international ones can be slotted during the night, when we do not have military operations. Moreover, we are also working on building a parallel runway at INS Dega, he said.

He also told The Hindu that efforts are also on to go ahead with the construction of an alternative airfield at Badangi in Vizianagaram.

Choke points

Accepting the increased presence of Chinese naval ships in Indian Ocean, the Vice-Admiral said, The Chinese presence has increased and as a counter measure, we are placing our ships at all choke points such as Malacca Straits and Sunda Straits.”

According to him, China was rapidly expanding its fleet and to keep pace the Indian Navy has adopted the integrated construction concept. Speaking about this year’s Navy Day theme Indian Navy- Mission Deployed and combat ready’, Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh gave and overview of all the achievements of Indian Navy and ENC in particular during the year.