View source for INS Vikrant (1961)

{{Short description|Majestic-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy}}
{{redirect|HMS Hercules (R49)|other ships of the same name|HMS Hercules}}
{{other ships|INS Vikrant}}
{{featured article}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
 | image = INS Vikrant circa 1984 carrying a unique complement of Sea Harriers, Sea Hawks, Allouette & Sea King helicopters and Alize ASW.jpg
 | image_alt = A color photograph of an aircraft carrier at sea with multiple aircraft onboard
 | image_caption = INS ''Vikrant'' in 1984
 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
 | hide_header = 
 | country = United Kingdom
 | flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
 | name = ''Hercules''
 | ordered = 
 | awarded = 
 | builder = *[[Vickers-Armstrongs]], [[Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne|High Walker]]
             * [[Harland & Wolff]]
 | original_cost = 
 | yard_number = 
 | way_number = 
 | laid_down = 14 October 1943
 | launched = 22 September 1945
 | sponsor = 
 | christened = 
 | commissioned = Never commissioned
 | recommissioned = 
 | decommissioned = 
 | renamed = 
 | identification = [[Pennant number]]: R49
 | fate = [[Laid up]], 1947; Sold to India, 1957
 }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/career
 | hide_header = title
 | country = India
 | flag = {{shipboxflag|India|naval-1950}}
 | name = ''Vikrant''
 | namesake = 
 | acquired = 1957
 | commissioned = 4 March 1961
 | recommissioned = 
 | decommissioned = 31 January 1997
 | maiden_voyage = 
 | in_service = 
 | out_of_service = 
 | renamed = 
 | reclassified = 
 | refit = 
 | struck = 
 | reinstated = 
 | homeport = [[Bombay]]
 | identification = [[Pennant number]]: R11
 | motto = *[[Sanskrit]]: ''Jayema Sam Yudhi Sprdhah''
           * English: I completely defeat those who dare to fight with me
 | badge = 
 | nickname = 
 | honours = 
 | fate = [[ship breaking|Scrapped]], 2014
 | notes = 
 }}

|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics
 | hide_header = 
 | header_caption = 
 | class = {{sclass|Majestic|aircraft carrier|0}} [[light carrier]]
 | displacement = *{{convert|16,000|t|LT|-1|abbr=on}} ([[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard]])
                  * {{convert|19,500|t|LT|abbr=on}} ([[deep load]])
 | length = {{convert|700|ft|abbr=on}} ([[o/a]])
 | beam = {{convert|128|ft|abbr=on}}
 | height = 
 | draught = {{convert|24|ft|abbr=on}}
 | power = *{{convert|40,000|ihp|abbr=on|lk=in}}
           * 4 [[Three-drum boiler#Admiralty boiler|Admiralty three-drum boilers]]
 | propulsion = 2 shafts; 2 [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] [[steam turbine|geared steam turbines]]
 | speed = {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}}
 | range = *{{convert|12,000|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|14|kn}}
           * {{convert|6,200|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|23|kn}}
 | complement = 1,110
 | time_to_activate = 
 | sensors = *1 × LW-05 air-search radar
             * 1 × ZW-06 surface-search radar
             * 1 × LW-10 tactical radar
             * 1 × Type 963 aircraft-landing radar
 | EW = 
 | armament = 16 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40&nbsp;mm Bofors anti-aircraft]] guns (later reduced to 8)
 | armour = 
 | aircraft = 21–23
 | aircraft_facilities = * '''1961:'''
                         * [[CATOBAR|Catapult Assisted Take-Off]]
                         * '''1989:'''
                         * [[Aircraft ski-jump|9.75 degree ski jump]]
 | notes = 
 }}
}}

'''[[Indian Navy|INS]]''' '''''Vikrant''''' (from [[Sanskrit]] ''vikrānta'', "courageous") was a {{sclass|Majestic|aircraft carrier|1}} of the [[Indian Navy]]. The ship was [[keel laying|laid down]] as '''HMS ''Hercules''''' for the British [[Royal Navy]] during [[World War II]], but was put on hold when the war ended. India purchased the incomplete carrier in 1957, and construction was completed in 1961. ''Vikrant'' was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] as the first [[aircraft carrier]] of the Indian Navy and played a key role in enforcing the [[naval blockade]] of [[East Pakistan]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]].

In its later years, the ship underwent major refits to embark modern aircraft, before being [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] in January 1997. She was preserved as a [[museum ship]] in the Naval Docks in [[Mumbai]] until 2012. In January 2014, the ship was sold through an online auction and [[Ship breaking|scrapped]] in November 2014 after final clearance from the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]].

==History and construction==

{{See also|1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier}}
In 1943 the [[Royal Navy]] commissioned six [[light aircraft carrier]]s in an effort to counter the [[Kriegsmarine|German]] and [[Imperial Japanese Navy|Japanese]] navies.<ref name="faaa-hercules"/> The [[1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier]], commonly referred to as the British Light Fleet Carrier, was the result. Serving with eight navies between 1944 and 2001, these ships were designed and constructed by civilian shipyards as an intermediate step between the full-sized [[fleet aircraft carrier]]s and the less expensive but limited-capability [[escort carrier]]s.{{Sfn|Konstam|2012|p=46}} Sixteen light fleet carriers were ordered, and all of them were [[keel laying|laid down]] as what became the ''Colossus'' class in 1942 and 1943. The final six ships were modified during construction to handle larger and faster aircraft, and were re-designated as the ''Majestic'' class.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|pp=199–200}} The improvements from the ''Colossus'' class to the ''Majestic'' class included heavier displacement, armament, [[Aircraft catapult|catapult]], [[Elevator#Aircraft elevators|aircraft lifts]] and aircraft capacity.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=185}} Construction on the ships was suspended at the end of [[World War II]], as the ships were more than the Royal Navy's peacetime requirements. 
Instead, the carriers were modernized and sold to several [[Commonwealth nations]]. The ships were similar, but each varied depending on the requirements of the country the ship was sold to.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=199}}

HMS ''Hercules'', the fifth ship in the ''Majestic'' class, was ordered on 7 August 1942 and laid down on 14 October 1943 by [[Vickers-Armstrongs]] at [[Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne|High Walker]] on the [[River Tyne]]. After World War II ended with [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender|Japan's surrender]] on 2 September 1945, she was [[Ship naming and launching|launched]] on 22 September and her construction was suspended in May 1946.<ref name="faaa-hercules">{{cite web|url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/ships/Hercules.html|title=HMS Hercules|publisher=Fleet Air Arm Archive|access-date=13 January 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131203708/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/ships/Hercules.html|archive-date=31 January 2012}}</ref> At the time of suspension, she was 75 per cent complete.<ref name="INS Vikrant - Bharat Rakshak" /> Her hull was preserved, and in May 1947 she was [[:wikt:laid up|laid up]] in [[Gare Loch|Gareloch]] off the [[Firth of Clyde|Clyde]]. In January 1957, she was purchased by India and was towed to [[Belfast]] to complete her construction and modifications by [[Harland & Wolff]]. Several improvements to the original design were ordered by the Indian Navy, including an [[Flight deck|angled deck]], [[steam catapult]]s and a modified [[Aircraft carrier#Structure|island]].{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=203}}

==Design and description==

''Vikrant'' displaced {{convert|16,000|t|LT|-1|abbr=on}} at [[Displacement (ship)#Standard displacement|standard load]] and {{convert|19,500|t|LT|abbr=on}} at [[deep load]]. She had an [[Length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|700|ft|abbr=on}}, a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|128|ft|abbr=on}} and a mean deep [[Draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|24|ft|abbr=on}}. She was powered by a pair of [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] [[steam turbine|geared steam turbines]], driving two propeller shafts, using steam provided by four [[Three-drum boiler#Admiralty boiler|Admiralty three-drum boilers]]. The turbines produced a total of {{convert|40,000|ihp|lk=in}} which gave a maximum speed of {{convert|25|kn|lk=in}}. ''Vikrant'' carried about {{convert|3175|t|LT|abbr=on}} of fuel oil that gave her a range of {{convert|12000|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|14|kn}}; and {{convert|6200|mi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|23|kn}}. The air and ship crew consisted of 1,110 officers and men.<ref name="INS Vikrant - Bharat Rakshak">{{cite web|title=INS Vikrant R11|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Past/23-INS-Vikrant.html|website=www.bharat-rakshak.com|access-date=8 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109021532/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Ships/Past/23-INS-Vikrant.html|archive-date=9 November 2016}}</ref>

The ship was armed with sixteen {{convert|40|mm|adj=on}} [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors anti-aircraft guns]], but these were later reduced to eight. At various times, its aircraft consisted of [[Hawker Sea Hawk]] and [[STOVL]] [[BAe Sea Harrier]] jet fighters, [[Westland Sea King#India|Sea King Mk 42B]] and [[HAL Chetak]] [[helicopter]]s, and [[Bréguet 1050 Alizé|Breguet Br.1050 Alizé]] [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine aircraft]].<ref name="INS Vikrant (R11) - History, Specs and Pictures - Navy Warships and Submarines">{{cite web|title=INS Vikrant (R11) – History, Specs and Pictures|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.asp?ship_id=INS-Vikrant-R11|website=Military Factory|access-date=8 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108195509/http://www.militaryfactory.com/ships/detail.asp?ship_id=INS-Vikrant-R11|archive-date=8 November 2016}}</ref> The carrier fielded between 21 and 23 aircraft of all types.<ref name="Indian Naval Aviation - Air Arm & Its Carriers - Team-BHP">{{cite web|title=Indian Naval Aviation – Air Arm & its Carriers|url=http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commercial-vehicles/163578-indian-naval-aviation-air-arm-its-carriers.html|website=Team BHP|access-date=23 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123133153/http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/commercial-vehicles/163578-indian-naval-aviation-air-arm-its-carriers.html|archive-date=23 November 2016}}</ref> ''Vikrant''{{'}}s [[flight deck]]s were designed to handle aircraft weighing up to {{convert|24,000|lb|abbr=on}}, but {{convert|20,000|lb|abbr=on}} remained the heaviest landing weight of an aircraft. Larger {{convert|54|by|34|ft|m|1}} lifts were installed later.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=203}} The ship was equipped with one LW-05 air-search [[radar]], one ZW-06 surface-search radar, one LW-10 tactical radar and one Type 963 aircraft landing radar with other communication systems.{{Sfn|Chant|2014|p=187}}

==Service==

=== Early service ===
The Indian Navy's first aircraft carrier was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] as INS ''Vikrant'' on 4 March 1961 in Belfast by [[Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit]], the [[List of High Commissioners of India to the United Kingdom|Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom]].{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=203}}<ref name="Bajaj V bike" /> The name ''Vikrant'' was derived from the [[Sanskrit]] word ''vikrānta'' meaning "stepping beyond", "courageous" or "bold". [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] [[P. S. Mahindroo|Pritam Singh Mahindroo]] was the first commanding officer of the ship. Two squadrons were to be embarked on the 
ship - [[INAS 300]] commanded by Lieutenant Commander B. R. Acharya which had British Hawker Sea Hawk fighter-bombers; and [[INAS 310]] commanded by Lieutenant Commander [[Mihir K. Roy]] which had French Alizé anti-submarine aircraft. On 18 May 1961, the first jet landed on her deck. It was piloted by Lieutenant [[Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani]], who later served as admiral and [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff of India]] from 1984 to 1987. ''Vikrant'' formally joined the Indian Navy's fleet in Bombay (now [[Mumbai]]) on 3 November 1961, when she was received at [[Ballard Pier]] by then [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]].<ref name="INS Vikrant - Bharat Rakshak" /> That December, the ship was deployed for Operation Vijay (the code name for the [[annexation of Goa]]) off the coast of Goa with two escort ships, {{INS|Rajput|D141|6}} and {{INS|Kirpan|1959|6}}.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=203}} ''Vikrant'' did not see action and patrolled along the coast to deter foreign interference.<ref name="Operation Vijay: The Liberation of 'Estado da India'- Goa, Daman and Diu">{{cite web|author1=Brigadier A. S. Cheema|title=Operation Vijay: The Liberation of 'Estado da India' – Goa, Daman and Diu|url=http://usiofindia.org/Article/Print/?pub=Journal&pubno=594&ano=2188|website=USI of India|access-date=11 December 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221002945/http://usiofindia.org/Article/Print/?pub=Journal&pubno=594&ano=2188|archive-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> The ship had conducted several maritime exercises off the coast of [[Kochi]] until May 1965,<ref name=":0" /> when she was dry-docked to refit equipment. Consequently, she did not participate in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] the following September.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=203}}

In June 1970, ''Vikrant'' was docked at the [[Naval Dockyard (Mumbai)|Naval Dockyard, Bombay]], due to many internal [[Fatigue (material)|fatigue cracks]] and fissures in the water drums of her boilers that could not be repaired by welding. As replacement drums were not available locally, four new ones were ordered from Britain, and Naval Headquarters issued orders to not use the boilers until further notice.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=118}} On 26 February 1971 the ship was moved from Ballard Pier Extension to the anchorage without replacement drums. The main objective behind this move was to light up the boilers at reduced pressure, and work up the main and flight deck machinery that had been idle for almost seven months. On 1 March, the boilers were ignited, and basin trials up to 40 revolutions per minute (RPM) were conducted. Catapult trials were conducted on the same day.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=119}}

The ship began preliminary [[sea trial]]s on 18 March and returned two days later. Trials were again conducted on 26–27 April. The navy decided to limit the boilers to a pressure of {{convert|400|psi|lk=on}} and the propeller revolutions to 120 RPM ahead and 80 RPM astern, reducing the ship's speed to {{convert|14|kn}}. With the growing expectations of a [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|war with Pakistan]] in the near future, the navy started to transfer its ships to strategically advantageous locations in Indian waters. The primary concern of Naval Headquarters about the operation was the serviceability of ''Vikrant''.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=119}} When asked his opinion regarding the involvement of ''Vikrant'' in the war, Fleet Operations Officer Captain [[Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani]] told the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral [[S. M. Nanda|Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda]]:

{{blockquote
|text=...during the 1965 war ''Vikrant'' was sitting in Bombay Harbour and did not go out to sea. If the same thing happened in 1971, ''Vikrant'' would be called a white elephant and naval aviation would be written off. ''Vikrant'' had to be seen being operational even if we didn't fly any aircraft.
|author=Captain [[Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani]]
|source={{sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=119}}
}}

Nanda and Hiranandani proved to be instrumental in taking ''Vikrant'' to war. There were objections that the ship might have severe operational difficulties that would expose the carrier to increased danger on operations. In addition, the three {{sclass|Daphne|submarine|1}}s acquired by the [[Pakistan Navy]] posed a significant risk to the carrier.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=119}} In June, extensive deep sea trials were carried out, with steel safety harnesses around the three boilers still operational.{{efn|The A1 boiler was completely blanked off due to serious problems.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=118}}}} Observation windows were fitted as a precautionary measure to detect any steam leaks. By the end of June, the trials were complete and ''Vikrant'' was cleared to participate on operations, with its speed restricted to 14 [[Knot (unit)|knots]].{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=120}}

===Indo-Pakistani War of 1971===
{{main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}

[[File:Indian Navy Sea Hawk aircraft during 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.jpg|thumb|''Vikrant''{{'}}s Sea Hawk squadron ashore during the December 1971 Indo-Pakistan war]]
As part of preparations for the war, ''Vikrant'' was assigned to [[Eastern Naval Command]], then to the [[Eastern Fleet (India)|Eastern Fleet]]. This fleet consisted of INS ''Vikrant'', the two {{sclass|Leopard|frigate}}s {{INS|Brahmaputra|1957|6}} and {{INS|Beas|1958|6}}, the two [[Arnala-class corvette|Petya III-class]] [[corvette]]s {{INS|Kamorta|P77|6}} and {{INS|Kavaratti|P80|6}}, and one submarine, {{INS|Khanderi|1968|6}}. The main reason behind strengthening the Eastern Fleet was to counter the Pakistani maritime forces deployed in support of military operations in [[East Bengal]].{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=120}} The ship transitioned from Bombay to Cochin, and then onwards to Madras, where for the most part of September and October 1971, she conducted flight training for her aviators.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sentinels |first=India |title='Open Sangsar': The radio message that sealed the fate of East Pakistan |url=https://www.indiasentinels.com/opinion/open-sangsar-the-radio-message-that-sealed-the-fate-of-east-pakistan-4698 |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=www.indiasentinels.com}}</ref>

An area of {{convert|18,000|sqmi}}, confined by a triangle with a base of {{convert|270|mi|abbr=on}} and sides of {{convert|165|and|225|mi|abbr=on}}, was set up in the [[Bay of Bengal]]. Any ship in this area was to be challenged and checked. If found to be neutral, it would be escorted to the nearest Indian port, otherwise, it would be captured and taken as a [[war prize]].{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=121}}

In the meantime, intelligence reports confirmed Pakistan was going to deploy the US-built {{sclass|Tench|submarine|2}} {{ship|PNS|Ghazi}}. ''Ghazi'' was considered a serious threat to ''Vikrant'' by the Indian Navy, as ''Vikrant''{{'}}s approximate position would be known by the Pakistanis once she started operating aircraft. Of the four available surface ships, INS ''Kavaratti'' had no [[sonar]], which meant the other three ships had to remain in close vicinity, around {{convert|5|–|10|mi|abbr=on}} close to ''Vikrant'', without which the carrier would be completely vulnerable to attacks by ''Ghazi''.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=121}}

On 23 July, ''Vikrant'' sailed off to [[Cochin]] in company with the [[Western Fleet (India)|Western Fleet]]. En route, before reaching Cochin on 26 July, Sea King landing trials were carried out. After completion of the radar and communication trials on 28 July, she departed for [[Madras]], escorted by ''Brahmaputra'' and ''Beas''. The next major problem was operating aircraft from the carrier. The commanding officer of the ship, Captain (later Vice Admiral) [[Swaraj Parkash|Swaraj Prakash]], was seriously concerned about flight operations. He was concerned aircrew morale would be adversely affected if flight operations were not undertaken, which could be disastrous. Naval Headquarters remained stubborn on the speed restrictions, and sought confirmation from Prakash whether it was possible to embark a flight of Alizé without compromising the speed restrictions.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=122}} The speed restrictions imposed by the headquarters meant Alizé aircraft would have to land at close to [[Stall (aviation)|stalling]] speed. Eventually the aircraft weight was reduced, which allowed several of the aircraft to embark along with a Seahawk squadron.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=123}}

[[File:INS Vikrant (R11) launches an Alize aircraft during Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.jpg|thumb|A Bréguet 1050 Alizé anti-submarine aircraft taking off from INS ''Vikrant''|left|alt=A color photograph of an aircraft taking off from a ship while the crew onboard watch]]

By the end of September, ''Vikrant'' and her escorts had reached [[Port Blair]]. En route to [[Visakhapatnam]], tactical exercises were conducted in the presence of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command. From Vishakhapatnam, ''Vikrant'' set out for Madras for maintenance. Rear Admiral [[S. H. Sarma]] was appointed [[Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet]] and arrived at Vishakhapatnam on 14 October. After receiving reports that Pakistan might launch preemptive strikes, maintenance was stopped for another tactical exercise, which was completed during the night of 26–27 October at Vishakhapatnam. ''Vikrant'' then returned to Madras to resume maintenance. On 1 November, the Eastern Fleet was formally constituted, and on 13 November, the ships centred the new Vikrant Carrier Battle groupset out for the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]. To avoid misadventures, the plan was to sail ''Vikrant'' to a remote anchorage near [[Port Cornwallis]], isolating it from combat. Simultaneously, deception signals would give the impression of ''Vikrant'' operating somewhere between Madras and Vishakhapatnam.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=123}}Two [[Polnocny-class landing ship|Polnocny class LSTs]], INS Guldhar and INS Gharial were repurposed as transports to supply fuel, ammunition and spare parts for the carrier's air wing and escorts. The [[Shipping Corporation of India|SCI]] ship Deshdeep was chartered by the Navy to supply replenishments exclusively to the carrier under Operation Sangsar.<ref name=":1" />

On 23 November, an emergency was declared in Pakistan after a clash of Indian and Pakistani troops in [[East Pakistan]] two days earlier.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=123}} On 2 December, the Eastern Fleet proceeded to its patrol area in anticipation of an attack by Pakistan. The Pakistan Navy had deployed ''Ghazi'' on 14 November with the explicit goal of targeting and sinking ''Vikrant'', and ''Ghazi'' reached a location near Madras by the 23rd.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=143}}{{Sfn|Till|2013|p=171}} In an attempt to deceive the Pakistan Navy and ''Ghazi'', India's Naval Headquarters deployed ''Rajput'' as a decoy—the ship sailed {{convert|160|mi|abbr=on}} off the coast of Vishakhapatnam and broadcast a significant amount of radio traffic, making her appear to be ''Vikrant''.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=142}} ''Ghazi'', meanwhile, sank off the Visakhapatnam coast under mysterious circumstances.{{Sfn|Till|2013|p=171}} On the night of 3–4 December, a muffled underwater explosion was detected by a coastal battery. The next morning, a local fisherman observed flotsam near the coast, causing Indian naval officials to suspect a vessel had sunk off the coast. The next day, a [[clearance diver|clearance diving team]] was sent to search the area, and they confirmed ''Ghazi'' had sunk in shallow waters.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=145}}

The reason for ''Ghazi''{{'}}s fate is unclear. The Indian Navy's official historian [[Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani|G. M. Hiranandani]] suggests three possibilities after analysing the position of the rudder and extent of the damage suffered. The first was that ''Ghazi'' had come up to [[Periscope#Naval use|periscope depth]] to identify her position and may have seen an anti-submarine vessel that caused her to [[crash dive]], which in turn may have led her to bury her [[Bow (watercraft)|bow]] in the bottom. The second possibility is closely related to the first: on the night of the explosion, ''Rajput'' was on patrol off Visakhapatnam and observed a severe disturbance in the water. Suspecting that it was a submarine, the ship dropped two [[depth charge]]s on the spot, on a position that was very close to the wreckage.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=143}} The third possibility is that there was a mishap when ''Ghazi'' was laying [[Naval mine|mines]] on the day before hostilities broke out.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=145}}

''Vikrant'' was redeployed towards [[Chittagong]] at the outbreak of hostilities. On 4 December,  eight Sea Hawks took off from her deck at 8:00 AM and at a range of 230 nautical miles to strike shipping in the Chittagong and [[Cox's Bazar]] harbours, sinking or incapacitating most of the ships present.<ref name=":1" /> [[Strafing|Strafing runs]] by the ships aircrews also damaged two Greek cargo ships and the American merchant vessel Buckeye State on the 5th of December.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1972-05-01 |title=Naval and Maritime Events, 1 July—31 December 1971 |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1972/may/naval-and-maritime-events-1-july-31-december-1971 |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=U.S. Naval Institute |language=en}}</ref> Further strikes targeted [[Khulna]] and the [[Port of Mongla]], which continued until 10 December, while other operations were flown to support a naval blockade of East Pakistan. Sea hawks also flew 24/7 Combat air patrol over the carrier.The Alizé also flew long range reconnaissance from the carrier.{{Sfn|Roy|1995|p=165}}A submarine threat was misidentified on 7th against the carrier, resulting in no missions being flow that day.On 10 December, Vikrant aircrews provided air support for amphibious landings by Indian army commandos west of Cox's bazaar.Her escorts also intercepted and captured two Pakistani troopships carrying about 2000 soldiers as reinforcements from the Baluch light infantry regiment.On 14 December, the Sea Hawks attacked the [[cantonment]] area in Chittagong, destroying several Pakistani army barracks. Medium anti-aircraft fire was encountered during this strike. Simultaneous attacks by Alizés continued on Cox's Bazar. Vikrant approached upto 60nmi from Chittagong for a final attack run, in coordination with the [[Indian Air Force]].<ref name=":1" /> After this, ''Vikrant''{{'}}s fuel levels dropped to less than 25 per cent and the aircraft carrier sailed to [[Paradip]] for refueling on 15 December.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=139}} The crew of ''Vikrant'' earned two [[Maha Vir Chakra]]s and twelve [[Vir Chakra]] gallantry medals for their role in the war.{{Sfn|Till|2013|p=171}}

===Later years===

[[File:INS Vikrant (R11) with a Sea King helicopter during Indo-Pakistani war of 1971.jpg|thumb|A Sea King helicopter acting as a [[plane guard]] with INS ''Vikrant''|alt=A color photograph of an helicopter flying above an aircraft carrier]]
''Vikrant'' did not see much service after the war, and was given two major modernisation [[refit]]s—the first one from 1979 to 1981 and the second one from 1987 to 1989.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=151}} In the first phase, her boilers, radars, communication systems and anti-aircraft guns were modernised, and facilities to operate Sea Harriers were installed.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2000|p=276}} In the second phase, facilities to operate the new Sea Harrier Vertical/Short Take Off and Land (V/STOL) fighter aircraft and the new Sea King Mk 42B Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopters were introduced. A 9.75-degree [[Aircraft ski-jump|ski-jump ramp]] was fitted.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=151}} The [[steam catapult]] was removed during this phase.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=203}} in 1991, ''Vikrant'' again underwent a six-month refit, followed by another fourteen-month refit in 1992–94. She remained operational thereafter, flying Sea Harriers, Sea Kings and Chetaks until her final sea outing on 23 November 1994.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=151}} In the same year, a fire was also recorded aboard.{{Sfn|Hobbs|2014|p=203}} In January 1995, the navy decided to keep ''Vikrant'' in "safe to float" state.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=151}} She was [[laid up]] and formally decommissioned on 31 January 1997.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=152}}

===Squadrons embarked===

During her service, INS ''Vikrant'' embarked four squadrons of the Naval Air Arm of the Indian Navy:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Squadron
! style="width:10%; "| Name
! Insignia
! style="width:13%; "|Aircraft
!Notes
|-
| rowspan=2|[[INAS 300]] || rowspan=2|White Tigers || rowspan=2|<!-- [[File:INAS 300 insignia.jpg|50px]] --> || [[Hawker Sea Hawk]]||Operated during the 1971 war, and phased out in 1978.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=151}}
|-
|[[BAE Sea Harrier]]||Introduced in 1983, with the first Harrier landing on the ship's deck on 20 December 1983, operated until the ship was decommissioned in late 1997.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=151}}{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=154}}
|-
| [[INAS 310]] || Cobras || || [[Breguet Alizé]]||Operated during the 1971 war, and phased out in 1987, with the last Alizé flown off on 2 April 1987.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=151}}
|-
| [[INAS 321]] || Angels || <!-- [[File:INAS 321 insignia.jpg|50px]] --> || [[Alouette III]]/<br />[[HAL Chetak]]{{efn|French [[Alouette III]] light helicopters were produced in India under license by [[Hindustan Aircraft Limited]] (HAL) as "Chetaks".{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=158}}}}||The Alouettes/Chetaks were first embarked in 1960s, and operated until the ship was decommissioned in 1997.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=158}}
|-
| [[INAS 330]] || Harpoons || || [[Westland Sea King]]||Introduced into the Indian Navy in 1974,{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=157}} the Sea Kings operated on ''Vikrant'' from 1991, and remained until the ship was decommissioned in 1997.{{Sfn|Hiranandani|2009|p=152}}
|}

==Commanding officers==
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" style="width: 20px;" | S.No
! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Name
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Assumed office
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Left office
! scope="col" style="width: 500px;" | Notes
|-
|1
|[[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] [[P. S. Mahindroo]]
|16 February 1961
|16 April 1963
|Commissioning CO. Later [[Chief of Materiel (India)|Chief of Materiel]].
|-
|2
|Captain [[Nilakanta Krishnan]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=GB|sep=,|DSC}}}}
|17 April 1963
|16 November 1964
|[[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. 
|-
|3
|Captain [[V. A. Kamath]]
|16 November 1964
|4 November 1966
|[[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command|Flag Officer Commanding Southern Naval Area]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. Founding [[Director General of Indian Coast Guard]].
|-
|4
|Captain [[Jal Cursetji]] 
|4 November 1966
|8 December 1967
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|5
|Captain [[Elenjikal Chandy Kuruvila|E. C. Kuruvila]] 
|8 December 1967
|5 December 1969
|[[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command|Flag Officer Commanding Southern Naval Area]].
|-
|6
|Captain [[Kirpal Singh (Indian Navy officer)|Kirpal Singh]]
|5 December 1969
|15 January 1971
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet]].
|-
|7
|Captain S. L. Sethi {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|15 January 1971
|30 June 1971
|Later [[Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|8
|Captain [[Swaraj Parkash]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|MVC|AVSM}}}}
|1 July 1971
|24 January 1973
|Later [[Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Naval Staff]] and [[Director General of Indian Coast Guard]].
|-
|9
|Captain [[M. K. Roy]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|AVSM}}}}
|3 January 1974
|8 February 1976
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command]].
|-
|10
|Captain [[Radhakrishna Hariram Tahiliani|R. H. Tahiliani]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|AVSM}}}}
|8 February 1976
|26 December 1977
|Later [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Chief of the Naval Staff]].
|-
|11
|Captain J. C. Puri {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|VrC|VSM}}}}
|26 December 1977
|5 March 1979
|
|-
|12
|Captain R. D. Dhir
|5 March 1979
|15 June 1979
|
|-
|13
|Captain S. Bose
|15 June 1979
|2 April 1981
|
|-
|14
|Captain Arindam Ghosh {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|VSM}}}}
|2 April 1981
|27 August 1982
|Later [[Fortress Commander, Andaman and Nicobar Islands]].
|-
|15
|Captain [[KASZ Raju]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|NM}}}}
|27 August 1982
|19 November 1984
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command]].
|-
|16
|Captain [[Santosh Kumar Gupta|S. K. Gupta]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|MVC|NM}}}}
|19 November 1984
|17 March 1986
|
|-
|17
|Captain P. A. Debrass {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|AVSM|NM}}}}
|17 March 1986
|8 August 1988
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area]].
|-
|18
|Captain B. S. Karpe
|11 October 1988
|22 October 1989
|
|-
|19
|Captain [[R. N. Ganesh]] {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|AVSM|NM}}}}
|22 October 1989
|3 January 1991
|Later [[Fortress Commander, Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] and [[Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command]].
|-
|20
|Captain Raman Puri {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|VSM}}}}
|3 January 1991
|25 June 1992
|Later [[Chief of Integrated Defence Staff]].
|-
|21
|Captain R. C. Kochchar {{small|{{postnominals|country=IND|sep=,|VSM}}}}
|25 June 1992
|7 September 1994
|Later [[Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area]].
|-
|22
|Captain K. Mohanan
|7 September 1994
|7 August 1995
|
|-
|23
|[[Commander]] H. S. Rawat
|20 July 1996
|31 January 1997
|Last Commanding Officer.
|}

==Museum ship==

[[File:Vikrant Museum Ship.jpg|thumb|INS ''Vikrant'' preserved as a museum ship in [[Mumbai]] with aircraft visible on the flight deck]]
[[File:R11 Vikrant plate.jpg|thumb|INS Vikrant builder's plate]]
[[File:R11 INS Vikrant bell.jpg|thumb|INS Vikrant ship's bell]]
Following decommissioning in 1997, ''Vikrant'' was earmarked for preservation as a [[museum ship]] in Mumbai. Lack of funding prevented progress on the ship's conversion to a museum and it was speculated ''Vikrant'' would be converted into a training ship.<ref>{{cite news|first=P R|last=Sanjai|date=14 March 2006|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ins-vikrant-will-now-be-made-training-school/236011/|title=INS Vikrant will now be made training school|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]|access-date=7 March 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010150459/http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ins-vikrant-will-now-be-made-training-school/236011/|archive-date=10 October 2012}}</ref> In 2001, the ship was opened to the public by the Indian Navy, but the [[Government of Maharashtra]] was unable to find a partner to operate the museum on a permanent, long-term basis and the museum was closed after it was deemed unsafe for the public in 2012.<ref name="TOI20140204">{{cite news|first=Nargish|last=Sunavala|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Not-museum-but-scrapyard-for-warship-Vikrant/articleshow/29795409.cms|title=Not museum but scrapyard for INS Vikrant|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=4 February 2006|access-date=4 February 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014904/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Not-museum-but-scrapyard-for-warship-Vikrant/articleshow/29795409.cms|archive-date=28 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Warship-INS-Vikrant-heads-for-Alang-death/articleshow/29594882.cms|title=Warship INS Vikrant heads for Alang death|newspaper=Times of India|date=30 January 2014|access-date=23 February 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309083750/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Warship-INS-Vikrant-heads-for-Alang-death/articleshow/29594882.cms|archive-date=9 March 2014}}</ref>

==Scrapping==

[[File:INS Vikrant being scapped.jpg|thumb|''Vikrant'' being scrapped at Mumbai]]

In August 2013, [[Vice Admiral (India)|Vice Admiral]] [[Shekhar Sinha]], Commander-in-Chief of [[Western Naval Command]], said the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] would scrap the ship as she had become very difficult to maintain and no private bidders had offered to fund the museum's operations.<ref name="Naik">{{cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Vikrant-museum-to-be-scrapped-as-Navy-readies-new-carrier/articleshow/21740538.cms|title=Vikrant museum to be scrapped as Navy readies new carrier|last=Naik|first=Yogesh|date=10 August 2013|newspaper=[[Mumbai Mirror]]|access-date=13 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114035754/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Vikrant-museum-to-be-scrapped-as-Navy-readies-new-carrier/articleshow/21740538.cms|archive-date=14 November 2013}}</ref> On 3 December 2013, the Indian government decided to auction the ship.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=First Post India|title=Govt to auction decommissioned aircraft carrier INS Vikrant|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/govt-to-auction-decommissioned-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant-1265381.html|date=4 December 2013|access-date=4 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217120024/http://www.firstpost.com/india/govt-to-auction-decommissioned-aircraft-carrier-ins-vikrant-1265381.html|archive-date=17 December 2013}}</ref> The [[Bombay High Court]] dismissed a [[Public interest litigation in India|public-interest lawsuit]] filed by Kiran Paigankar to stop the auction, stating the vessel's dilapidated condition did not warrant her preservation, nor were the necessary funds or government support available.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nargish|last=Sunavala|date=3 February 2014|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Not-museum-but-scrapyard-for-warship-Vikrant/articleshow/29795409.cms|title=Not museum but scrapyard for INS Vikrant|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=4 February 2006|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014904/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Not-museum-but-scrapyard-for-warship-Vikrant/articleshow/29795409.cms|archive-date=28 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Crushing-museum-dreams-court-says-INS-Vikrant-must-be-scrapped/articleshow/29265563.cms|title=Crushing museum dreams, court says INS Vikrant must be scrapped|newspaper=Mumbai Mirror|date=24 February 2014|access-date=23 February 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226142438/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/others/Crushing-museum-dreams-court-says-INS-Vikrant-must-be-scrapped/articleshow/29265563.cms|archive-date=26 February 2014}}</ref> In January 2014, the ship was sold through an online auction to a Darukhana [[Ship breaking|ship-breaker]] for {{INRconvert|60|c|lk=on}}.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Indian Express]]|date=21 November 2014|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/dismantling-of-iconic-warship-ins-vikrant-begins/|title=Dismantling Vikrant begins|access-date=12 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426080905/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/dismantling-of-iconic-warship-ins-vikrant-begins/|archive-date=26 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=India's first aircraft carrier slips into history &#124; India News - Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-first-aircraft-carrier-slips-into-history/articleshow/45237088.cms |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123081000/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-first-aircraft-carrier-slips-into-history/articleshow/45237088.cms |archive-date=23 November 2014 |access-date=22 November 2014 |website=[[The Times of India]]|date=22 November 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Not-museum-but-scrapyard-for-warship-Vikrant/articleshow/29795409.cms|title=Not museum but scrapyard for warship Vikrant|date=3 February 2014|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=29 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828014904/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Not-museum-but-scrapyard-for-warship-Vikrant/articleshow/29795409.cms|archive-date=28 August 2017}}</ref> The [[Supreme Court of India]] dismissed another lawsuit challenging the ship's sale and scrapping on 14 August 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=Activists move Supreme Court over Sale of INS Vikrant to Ship Breaker|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/activists-move-supreme-court-over-sale-of-ins-vikrant-to-ship-breaker/|work=Bihar Prabha|date=14 August 2014|access-date=9 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413123431/http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/activists-move-supreme-court-over-sale-of-ins-vikrant-to-ship-breaker/|archive-date=13 April 2014}}</ref> ''Vikrant'' remained beached off Darukhana in Mumbai Port while awaiting the final clearances of the [[Mumbai Port Trust]]. On 12 November 2014, the Supreme Court gave its final approval for the carrier to be scrapped, which commenced on 22 November 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-first-aircraft-carrier-slips-into-history/articleshow/45237088.cms|title=India's first aircraft carrier slips into history|date=22 November 2014|newspaper=Times of India|access-date=22 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123081000/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indias-first-aircraft-carrier-slips-into-history/articleshow/45237088.cms|archive-date=23 November 2014}}</ref>

On 7 April 2022, an FIR against an ex-MP [[Kirit Somaiya]], his son Neil and others was registered, on charges of alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust linked to the collection of funds up to Rs. 57 crore for restoring the decommissioned aircraft carrier INS ''Vikrant''. The [[Trombay]] Police booked them under [[Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code|Section 420]] (cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property), Section 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust) and Section 34 (common intentions) of the Indian Penal Code. According to the complaint, the father and son duo collected the money in 2013–14 in the name of restoring ''Vikrant'', but the funds collected were spent on personal use. Somaiya was leading the front of attacking the government's intent of commercializing the decommissioned ship by handing it to private players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaikh |first=Zeeshan |date=8 April 2022 |title=Explained: The cheating case related to INS ''Vikrant'' in which BJP's Kirit Somaiya, son have been booked |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-the-cheating-case-ins-vikrant-kirit-somaiya-son-booked-7858567/ |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

==Legacy==

In memory of ''Vikrant'', the Vikrant Memorial was unveiled by Vice Admiral [[Surinder Pal Singh Cheema]], Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command at K Subash Marg at the Naval Dockyard of Mumbai on 25 January 2016. The memorial is made from metal recovered from the ship.<ref name="Vikrant Memorial at traffic Island near Lion Gate">{{cite web|title=Vikrant Memorial at traffic Island near Lion Gate|url=https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vikrant-memorial-traffic-island-near-lion-gate|website=Indian Navy|access-date=10 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110173205/https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/vikrant-memorial-traffic-island-near-lion-gate|archive-date=10 November 2016}}</ref> 
In February 2016, the Indian automobile manufacturer [[Bajaj Auto|Bajaj]] unveiled a new motorbike made with metal from ''Vikrant''{{'}}s scrap and named it Bajaj V in honour of ''Vikrant''.<ref name="Bajaj V bike">{{cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/article/industry/automobiles/bajaj-v-a-bike-made-of-ins-vikrants-metal-launching-on-february-2/202259/|title=Bajaj V – A bike made of INS Vikrant's metal – Launching on February 1|date=26 January 2016|newspaper=[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]|access-date=26 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127083403/http://www.financialexpress.com/article/industry/automobiles/bajaj-v-a-bike-made-of-ins-vikrants-metal-launching-on-february-2/202259/|archive-date=27 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ehot.news/bajaj-v-a-bike-made-with-ins-vikrants-scrap-unveiled/|title=Bajaj V: A Bike Made with INS Vikrant's Scrap unveiled|work=eHot News|date=2 February 2015|access-date=2 February 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204155631/http://ehot.news/bajaj-v-a-bike-made-with-ins-vikrants-scrap-unveiled/|archive-date=4 February 2016}}</ref>

The navy has named its first home-built carrier [[INS Vikrant (2013)|INS ''Vikrant'']] in honour of INS ''Vikrant'' (R11). The new carrier is built by [[Cochin Shipyard Limited]], and will displace {{convert|40000|t|ST|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Comparison of Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning and Indian INS Vikrant">{{cite web|title=Comparison of Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning and Indian INS Vikrant|url=http://www.theworldreporter.com/2013/08/aicraft-carrier-liaoning-vs-indian-ins-vikrant.html|website=The World Reporter|date=25 August 2013 |access-date=5 February 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828195035/http://www.theworldreporter.com/2013/08/aicraft-carrier-liaoning-vs-indian-ins-vikrant.html|archive-date=28 August 2013}}</ref> The keel was laid down in February 2009 and she was launched in August 2013 under the premiership of then PM [[Dr. Manmohan Singh]]. The ship was commissioned on 2 September 2022 by PM [[Narendra Modi]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhattacharjee|first=Sumit|date=4 December 2020|title=INS Vikrant may be inducted by 2022-23, says ENC Chief|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ins-vikrant-may-be-inducted-by-2022-23-says-enc-chief/article33243875.ece|access-date=23 June 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
The decommissioned ship featured prominently in the film ''[[ABCD 2]]'' as a backdrop while it was moored near Darukhana in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bollywoodnazar.com/news/article/varun-dhawan-poses-before-the-ins-vikrant-battle-ship-/7855|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707172741/http://www.bollywoodnazar.com/news/article/varun-dhawan-poses-before-the-ins-vikrant-battle-ship-/7855|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 July 2015|title=Varun poses before INS Vikrant|work=Bollywood Bazaar|access-date=15 May 2016}}</ref>

After the decommissioning of INS ''Vikrant'', Mumbai-based artist '''Arzan Khambatta''' was approached by veterans who had served on the warship to create a sculpture in its memory. Using actual metal from the ship, Khambatta crafted a tribute that now stands at [[Lion Gate (Mumbai)|Lion Gate]], a historic naval entrance in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web |last=arZan |date=2016-01-25 |title=Arzan Khambatta Creates Memorial to Indian Naval Ship Vikrant |url=https://parsikhabar.net/india/arzan-khambatta-creates-memorial-to-indian-naval-ship-vikrant/12337/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Parsi Khabar |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{INS|Vikrant|2013}}
* {{INS|Vikramaditya}}
* {{INS|Viraat}}

==Footnotes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Chant |first=Christopher |title=A Compendium of Armaments and Military Hardware |year=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-64668-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Hiranandani |first=Gulab Mohanlal |year=2000 |author-link=Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani |title=Transition to Triumph: History of the Indian Navy, 1965–1975 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-1-897829-72-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Hiranandani |first=Gulab Mohanlal |year=2009 |title=Transition to Guardianship: The Indian Navy, 1991–2000 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-1-935501-66-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Hobbs |first=David |title=British Aircraft Carriers: Design, Development & Service Histories |year=2014 |publisher=Seaforth Publishing |isbn=978-1-4738-5369-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Konstam |first=Angus |title=The Aviation History |year=2012 |publisher=Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-8482-6639-5 |author-link=Angus Konstam}}
* {{cite book |last=Roy |first=Mihir K. |title=War in the Indian Ocean |year=1995 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-1-897829-11-0 |author-link=Mihir K. Roy}}
* {{cite book |last1=Till |first=Geoffrey |title=Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century |year=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-25555-7 |author-link=Geoffrey Till}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category|INS Vikrant (ship, 1961)}}
* [http://www.bajajauto.com/v/mission71/mission-vikrant-gallery.aspx?id=12 Mission Vikrant 1971: A search for our heroes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235054/http://www.bajajauto.com/v/mission71/mission-vikrant-gallery.aspx?id=12 |date=10 November 2016 }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8QHegIwH2c ''Sons of Vikrant'' by Bajaj]

{{Majestic-class aircraft carriers}}
{{Indian Navy aircraft carriers}}

{{Ship classes of the Indian Navy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vikrant}}
[[Category:World War II aircraft carriers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Majestic-class aircraft carriers]]
[[Category:Aircraft carriers of the Indian Navy]]
[[Category:1945 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Harland & Wolff]]
[[Category:Ships built in Belfast]]
[[Category:Military and war museums in India]]
[[Category:Ships of India–Pakistan wars and conflicts]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan war of 1971]]